Counselor-in-Training & Elevated Access Program
Preparing future counselors while expanding access to affordable mental health care.
Elevated Horizons Mental Health’s Counselor-in-Training Program provides qualifying graduate counseling students with supervised experience in a fully virtual mental health practice.
Through the Elevated Access Program, clients in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and Colorado may receive counseling from supervised Counselors-in-Training at a reduced cost or, when available, on a pro bono basis.
For Prospective Counselors-in-Training
Gain Experience in a Fully Virtual Mental Health Practice
The EHMH Counselor-in-Training Program is designed for master’s- and doctoral-level counseling students completing university-approved practicum or internship requirements.
Counselors-in-Training gain experience providing telehealth counseling under clinical supervision while developing their professional identity, clinical confidence, documentation skills, ethical decision-making, and understanding of private-practice operations.
This is an active training placement—not an observation-only experience or a place to simply collect hours.
Where Counselors-in-Training May Be Located
EHMH accepts applications from counseling students across the United States when:
The student’s university or educational institution approves EHMH as a placement site
The institution permits a fully virtual practicum or internship
Tele-supervision is permitted
Client-contact and training hours may be accumulated online
The student’s location and proposed activities comply with applicable requirements
The university and EHMH complete a written placement agreement before the student begins
The student maintains all required professional liability coverage
Counselors-in-Training are not limited to living in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, or Colorado. However, acceptance is determined individually after reviewing the student’s university requirements, location, training needs, and proposed placement arrangement.
A student may not begin providing services until all required agreements, onboarding, training, and system-access requirements have been completed.
What Counselors-in-Training May Learn
Training opportunities may include:
Conducting intake and follow-up counseling sessions
Case conceptualization
Treatment planning
Clinical documentation
Ethical decision-making
Telehealth practices
Risk assessment and crisis procedures
Professional communication
Cultural responsiveness
Client engagement and retention
Community outreach
Developing a clinical interest or professional niche
Understanding private-practice systems and workflows
Preparing for termination and continuity of care
Clinical responsibilities are assigned according to the student’s demonstrated competence, university requirements, client needs, and supervisor approval.
Professional Expectations
Counselors-in-Training are expected to:
Communicate consistently and professionally
Attend supervision, training, meetings, and client appointments
Complete documentation accurately and on time
Track their own university hours and deadlines
Protect client confidentiality
Maintain a private and professional telehealth environment
Accept and apply constructive feedback
Ask for supervision when uncertain
Participate appropriately in outreach and program development
Follow EHMH policies and university requirements
Leave the practice better than they found it
EHMH does not guarantee a specific number of clients, direct-contact hours, or completed licensure hours. Caseload development depends on client enrollment, scheduling compatibility, clinical fit, student readiness, and continued participation in the program.
Placement Requirements
Prospective Counselors-in-Training must generally provide:
A current résumé or curriculum vitae
Proof of enrollment in a qualifying graduate counseling program
University practicum or internship requirements
Required direct and indirect hour expectations
University liaison or practicum coordinator contact information
Required university agreements and evaluation forms
Proof of professional liability insurance
Professional references
Proposed availability
A professional headshot and short biography if accepted
Any additional documentation requested by EHMH
A completed university agreement must be in place before onboarding or clinical work begins.
Placement Consultation and Application Periods
A $50 practicum consultation is required as part of the placement consideration process. The consultation fee covers the time used to review the student’s interests, availability, university requirements, and potential fit with EHMH.
Payment for a consultation does not guarantee acceptance.
Fall placement applications close May 31.
Spring placement applications close October 31.
Placement availability is limited and may close earlier when all positions have been filled.
For Clients: The Elevated Access Program
Affordable Counseling With a Supervised Counselor-in-Training
The Elevated Access Program connects qualifying clients with graduate-level Counselors-in-Training who provide telehealth counseling under the supervision of an independently licensed mental health professional.
The program was created to:
Increase access to mental health care
Reduce the amount of time people wait to see a provider
Expand evening, daytime, and other appointment availability
Provide lower-cost counseling options
Create meaningful clinical experience for future counselors
Support healthier individuals, families, and communities
Counselors-in-Training are graduate students completing formal clinical education. They are not independently licensed counselors and do not practice independently.
Who May Participate?
The Elevated Access Program may be appropriate for individuals who:
Are age 13 or older
Are physically located in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, or Colorado during counseling sessions
Are comfortable receiving telehealth counseling
Understand that services will be provided by a supervised Counselor-in-Training
Are seeking affordable mental health support
Can participate consistently in scheduled appointments
Are clinically appropriate for the level of care available through the program
Participation is based on provider availability, scheduling compatibility, clinical appropriateness, and the Counselor-in-Training’s scope and level of preparation.
The Elevated Access Program is not an emergency, crisis-response, or intensive-treatment service.
Fees
Elevated Access Program counseling fees range from $0 to $60 per session.
Reduced-cost and pro bono availability may depend on:
Financial need
Available program funding
Counselor-in-Training availability
Appointment frequency
Current program capacity
Pro bono counseling is not guaranteed. The applicable fee will be discussed before services begin.
How the Elevated Access Program Works
1. Complete the Waitlist Application
The prospective client submits the Counseling Services Waitlist Application with their contact information, location, availability, and general counseling needs.
2. Initial Screening
EHMH reviews the application to determine whether the program may be appropriate and whether a Counselor-in-Training is potentially available.
3. Potential Match
When an appropriate Counselor-in-Training becomes available, EHMH contacts the prospective client to discuss scheduling, fees, informed consent, supervision, and next steps.
4. Complete Intake Documents
Before counseling begins, the client completes the required intake, telehealth, privacy, financial, and Counselor-in-Training disclosure documents.
5. Begin Counseling
Counseling is provided through secure telehealth. The Counselor-in-Training receives ongoing supervision and consultation regarding client care.
Submitting the waitlist application does not guarantee acceptance, immediate placement, a particular Counselor-in-Training, pro bono services, or a specific appointment time.
Supervision and Client Privacy
Counselors-in-Training discuss their clinical work with their designated supervisor as part of the educational and clinical oversight process.
The supervisor may review documentation, treatment plans, risk concerns, clinical decisions, and progress to support ethical and appropriate care.
Clients will receive written information about the Counselor-in-Training’s status and supervision arrangement before services begin. Client information remains protected according to applicable privacy, legal, ethical, university, and EHMH requirements.
Join the Elevated Access Program Waitlist
Complete the Counseling Services Waitlist Application to be considered for reduced-cost or pro bono counseling with a supervised Counselor-in-Training.
Services are available only to eligible participants physically located in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, or Colorado during appointments.