Inside The Mind: What It's Like To Intern For A Clinical Psychologist

By Giulia Stivanello

February 10, 2025

Stepping into the role of an assistant for a clinical psychologist is nothing short of a rollercoaster, emotionally, mentally, and even personally. It’s a journey filled with deep insights into the human mind, a constant test of resilience, and an invaluable lesson in self-awareness.

But what is it really like?Here’s an inside look at the experience, beyond what you might expect from textbooks and nlectures.

Giulia Stivanello

The Emotional Weight of the Job

There’s no sugarcoating it, this internship is emotionally demanding. You witness, firsthand, the struggles of individuals battling anxiety, trauma, and deep-seated fears. Some stories stay with you, and it takes effort not to carry them home. In the beginning, it’s easy to dwell on certain patients, replaying their words in your head, wondering if there was something more you could have done. Learning how to set emotional boundaries is essential.

Organisational Skills Are a Must

Contrary to popular belief, being a psychologist (or even assisting one) isn’t just about listening and nodding. There’s a significant amount of administrative work: scheduling appointments, managing case notes, ensuring confidentiality, and tracking patient progress. Without strong organisational skills, things can quickly spiral into chaos.

Knowing Yourself

One of the most surprising aspects of this experience is how much it forces you to confront yourself. This doesn’t mean you need to be a perfect human being (no one is), but you do need a solid foundation of self-awareness. Some cases might hit close to home, and knowing how to separate your personal experiences from professional responsibilities is vital.

Professionalism

As an intern, you quickly learn that professionalism isn’t just a concept, it’s a survival skill. No matter how heart-wrenching a patient’s story is, you have to maintain a calm, composed demeanor. Patients rely on you, and the psychologist, to be their anchor. That means staying objective and collected, even in the most delicate situations.

The Reality of Solitude

One of the more unexpected aspects of this internship is the solitude. Patients come in, share their struggles, and leave, but you stay behind with the weight of everything you’ve heard. Breaks can feel eerily quiet, and the absence of casual, everyday conversation can be jarring. It’s easy to overthink or dwell on cases, which is why finding a healthy outlet, like a hobby, exercise, or journaling, is essential for maintaining your own mental well-being.

Making Tough Calls

Sometimes, you’ll be faced with difficult decisions. While the psychologist ultimately makes the major calls, as an intern, you might be asked for input or be responsible for managing small but crucial aspects of patient care. There isn’t always a clear right or wrong, and that uncertainty can be daunting.

The Rewards and Positives

Despite the challenges, this internship is incredibly fulfilling. Seeing the resilience of the human spirit is inspiring, and knowing you played even a small role in someone’s healing process is deeply rewarding.

Additionally, you gain invaluable skills in communication, empathy, and critical thinking, tools that will serve you well in any future career path. The ability to truly connect with people on a deep level is a gift, and this internship offers a unique opportunity to develop that skill.

The Takeaway

Interning for a clinical psychologist isn’t for the faint of heart. It demands mental strength, emotional resilience, and a willingness to continuously work on yourself. But it’s also one of the most eye-opening and rewarding experiences you can have. You get a firsthand look at the depth of human emotion, the strength of the human spirit, and the profound impact of empathy. If you’re up for the challenge, it’s an experience that will change the way you see both others, and yourself.

Applying Clinical Experience to the Business World

Although this internship takes place in a clinical setting, a surprising number of the skills you develop translate directly to the business world. At the end of the day, both psychology and business are about people, understanding what motivates them, how they respond to pressure, and how they interact within a system.

One of the biggest takeaways? Emotional intelligence.

Being exposed to raw human emotion every day teaches you how to truly listen, remain composed, and respond with empathy. Whether you’re managing a team or navigating a tough negotiation, those skills are essential. You learn to read the room, pick up on what isn’t being said, and communicate with clarity and care.

You also become familiar with conflict resolution and mediation. Watching a psychologist de- escalate tense situations and help people feel heard is powerful, it shows you how to facilitate difficult conversations, something just as relevant in HR, leadership, or client relations.

Then there’s the importance of boundaries and handling sensitive information. Working in a clinical environment teaches you discretion, professionalism, and how to manage complex situations with care, all skills that reappear constantly in corporate settings.

And finally: solitude.

Sometimes, after a heavy session, you’re left sitting with everything you’ve just heard. That quiet reflection, learning to hold uncertainty, think deeply, and make grounded decisions, isn’t so different from what leaders face when making high-stakes calls.

In short, while this may not be a “typical” business internship, the personal growth and people skills it fosters are among the most transferable you’ll ever develop.