Diary of an ACS Intern

Written By: Dara Gray Tynefield, AMFT at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program

Some of the best advice I received

as a graduate student was about practicum and supervision. I was told be very careful and very selective with both. While the three thousand hour requirement toward licensure seems onerous at times, it is truly an amazing opportunity that won’t occur again in our careers. These supervised hours are the chance to explore and hone our clinical skills.

With this in mind, I am very grateful I found ACS. Not only do they serve the target population with which I wanted to work, they also have a well-deserved reputation for exceptional training and supervision. Now in my third year with the agency, the quality of training and supervision continues to be an asset. The trainings remain relevant, comprehensive and engaging. Personally, I find having an onsite supervisor invaluable. Support is available immediately. Feedback reflects the depth of experience from the entire staff and is continually constructive and valuable.

An added benefit to my experience at ACS has been the professional cohort attracted to these similar standards of quality and growth opportunity. On the whole, the groups of interns associated with ACS have enriched my education and experience beyond expectation.

As with anything new we embark upon, the entry to the field is necessarily challenging. Being thoughtful, careful and choosing to begin at ACS has eased that challenge and been a positive and enriching time in my career.