Skip to main content

Training and Early Career Opportunities

The Counseling Center at NC State University offers comprehensive training opportunities for emerging mental health professionals.

We believe that supervised practical training plays an essential role in career development, and our programs emphasize counseling that is both ethical and multiculturally affirming.

Training Programs

Why Choose NC State

The foundation of our training philosophy is experiential learning supported by supervision, mentoring, seminars, and knowledge of the mental health services theory and practices of counseling, psychology, and social work.

Trainees and staff join in our training mission, which values and respects collaboration, teamwork, self-awareness, and openness to learning. Self-reflection, introspection, constructive feedback, and interpersonal dialogue are highly valued aspects of our training.

Our Approach

We work from diverse theoretical approaches that enrich our training climate with a focus on developmental issues and working within a time-limited model of clinical practice.

Each trainee becomes a valued member of the Counseling Center team and gains clinical experience with individual and group counseling, crisis assessment, consultation, and outreach services.

About the NC State Counseling Center

We are a large multidisciplinary team of professionals that serve as the primary mental health service for students on a diverse campus of more than 36,000. Our staff includes counselors, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, master’s level trainees, doctoral-level trainees, and clinical counseling associates, as well as an administrative support staff. We provide personal, academic, and career counseling, outreach, groups, assessments, and consultation.

Site Description

We share a building with Campus Health Services on main campus. The Counseling Center is a valued part of the Division of Academic and Student Affairs (DASA) and falls under the area of student development, health, and wellness.

Raleigh and the Triangle Region

We are located in Raleigh, NC, an attractive area for many as it blends the fun and excitement of a big city with the hospitality and charm of a Southern town. North Carolina’s capital city is located in the heart of the state’s Triangle region and is minutes from world-renowned Research Triangle Park, the largest research park in the world.

Raleigh is a city of contrasts, beginning with its location. Situated midway between the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Atlantic Ocean, the beach and the mountains are never more than a two- to three-hour drive away. With a vibrant social, sports, cultural, and arts scene, multinational business, and diverse recreational opportunities, plus a climate that’s mild year-round, it’s easy to see why Raleigh and the surrounding region are consistently rated among the best places to live and work in the United States.

Contact Us

For more information about the respective programs, please contact:

Clinical Counseling Associate Program
Michelle Bruno, Ph.D., LCMHCS
Assistant Director for Training

Master’s Level Training in Social Work or Counseling
Kelsey McKaplan MA, LCMHC
Coordinator of Master’s Level Training

Doctoral Psychology Internship Program
Erin L. Higgenbotham, Ph.D., HSP-P
Interim Assistant Director of Doctoral Psychology Training
Assistant Director for Clinical Services