Six Great Reasons to See a Student Therapist

Wondering if a student therapist can really help you? The answer is yes — and here’s why.

Lauren Plummer, LMFT – Prairie Sky Counseling Center

At Prairie Sky Counseling Center, we are proud to host student therapists completing their clinical internships as part of their graduate training. These interns are a vital part of our team and offer compassionate, quality care — often with added benefits you might not expect.

Here are six great reasons to consider working with a student therapist:

1. Their training is fresh and cutting-edge.

Student therapists may have less experience than seasoned clinicians, but they’re steeped in the latest insights, techniques, and research. They’re actively engaged in coursework, analyzing therapy sessions weekly with peers and supervisors, and applying best practices drawn from both modern research and decades of psychotherapy wisdom. In short: they’re highly motivated to deliver excellent care.

2. They bring passion and dedication to their work.

For student therapists, this is not “just another client on a packed caseload.” It’s the opportunity they’ve been working toward. They are excited to learn, eager to help, and deeply honored to walk alongside clients on their healing journey. You can expect your student therapist to bring energy, focus, and heart to every session.

3. You’ll have the support of an entire care team.

Every Prairie Sky intern receives ongoing supervision from experienced licensed clinicians, along with regular consultation with our full clinical team. This means your care benefits from a whole network of knowledge and experience — all within the strict bounds of confidentiality. And if you should need more specialized help, we’ll guide you to trusted referrals.

4. It’s more affordable.

We know that paying for therapy can be challenging. That’s why sessions with our student therapists are offered on a sliding scale — from $0 to $25 per session. If cost has been a barrier, this is a wonderful way to access quality care without the financial strain.

5. Scheduling is often easier.

Student interns typically have more flexible schedules and fewer waitlists than fully booked clinicians. They are committed to building experience and often go the extra mile to accommodate clients. That means you’re more likely to find appointment times that work for you — and start sooner.

6. The research backs it up.

Studies show that therapy with student therapists can be just as effective as therapy with seasoned clinicians — especially when interns are receiving strong supervision and feedback. According to the American Psychological Association, “Student therapists who receive regular feedback from supervisors may be just as effective as licensed therapists at treating patients with anxiety disorders, depression and other diagnoses.”
Source: APA

At Prairie Sky, our student therapists participate in weekly case consultation with the full clinical team, one-on-one supervision, and additional guidance from their university faculty. They are supported every step of the way to provide high-quality, client-centered care.

Meet Our Student Therapists!

At Prairie Sky Counseling Center, we are fortunate to have two exceptional student therapists on our team this year - Rebecca Haessig and Kale Hendrix. You can read more about them here. Both are graduate students in the Friends University Marriage and Family Therapy program, completing their clinical internships under the close supervision of our experienced staff. To schedule an appointment call 913-214-2857 or email hello@prairieskycc.org or fill out this online form.

Rebecca Haessig

Kale Hendrix