More affordable access to therapy
Reduced-fee sessions can make consistent counseling more accessible for people who may not be able to afford standard private-pay rates.
Accessible care with meaningful support
What is a counseling intern?
A counseling intern is a graduate student completing the advanced clinical training required to become a professional counselor.
Before beginning internship, counseling students complete graduate coursework and supervised clinical training in counseling skills, assessment, ethics, treatment planning, human development, crisis response, and evidence-based approaches to therapy.
During internship, they begin working directly with clients while continuing to receive regular supervision, feedback, and professional guidance from a licensed counselor.
Why consider this option?
Why work with a counseling intern?
Internship counseling offers a more affordable path to therapy without removing the thoughtfulness, relationship, or clinical support that meaningful care requires.
Regular licensed supervision
Counseling interns meet regularly with a licensed supervisor to discuss treatment planning, clinical questions, ethical concerns, and their continued development as therapists.
A highly engaged developing clinician
Interns are actively learning, reflecting, and strengthening their skills. They often bring preparation, curiosity, openness to feedback, and intentionality into their work.
Individualized, relationship-focused care
You are not a training exercise or a case study. Therapy remains collaborative and centered around your experiences, concerns, relationships, goals, and needs.
An additional layer of support
What does supervision actually mean?
Your counseling intern remains your primary therapist.
The clinical supervisor supports the intern through regular supervision and consultation. This may include reviewing treatment goals, discussing possible interventions, strengthening case conceptualization, and helping the intern think through clinical or ethical questions.
Supervision is designed to support thoughtful care and responsible clinical decision-making. It does not mean that your therapy becomes impersonal or that you are passed back and forth between providers.
Determining fit
Could internship counseling be right for you?
A free consultation gives us an opportunity to understand what you are looking for and determine whether this level of care makes sense.
Internship counseling may be a good fit for adults navigating:
- Anxiety, worry, or emotional overwhelm
- Depression or low mood
- Stress, burnout, or self-criticism
- Identity development and cultural adjustment
- Family expectations and relationship concerns
- Life transitions, grief, or changes in direction
- Boundaries, confidence, and people-pleasing
- Personal growth and greater self-understanding
Another service may be more appropriate when someone needs:
- Immediate crisis or emergency intervention
- Hospitalization or a higher level of care
- Specialized treatment outside the intern’s training
- Intensive support for severe substance-use concerns
- Care for active or elevated safety risks
When Kaizen is not the right fit, we will try to help identify another resource when possible.
Flexible, transparent pricing
What does counseling cost?
$30
standard reduced fee per virtual counseling session
Counseling with our supervised intern is offered at a standard self-pay rate of $30 per session.
If $30 would still create a financial barrier, additional sliding-scale options may be available. A limited number of fully pro bono openings are also reserved for clients experiencing significant financial hardship.
Availability at each fee level is limited and may change as the intern’s caseload develops. We encourage you to reach out rather than assuming therapy is financially out of reach.
Services are available virtually to adults located anywhere in North Carolina. Internship counseling is not billed through insurance.
Meet your therapist
Meet Asrar Turja
Asrar is a master’s-level counseling intern providing virtual counseling to adults across North Carolina under licensed clinical supervision.
She is especially interested in supporting young adults and first- or second-generation immigrants navigating anxiety, depression, identity development, relationships, family expectations, cultural adjustment, and significant life transitions.
Her approach is thoughtful, collaborative, culturally responsive, and grounded in curiosity. She believes therapy can help people better understand the patterns shaping their lives while developing practical ways to move through challenges with greater clarity and confidence.
Continuity and transparency
What happens when the internship ends?
Internships occur within defined academic timelines. As the end of the internship approaches, you and your therapist will discuss your progress, remaining needs, and available options.
Depending on the circumstances, this might include completing therapy, transitioning to another clinician, or exploring whether continued services are available.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Is a counseling intern licensed?
A counseling intern is not yet independently licensed. Interns are graduate-level clinicians completing supervised clinical training as part of the process required to become professional counselors.
Is counseling with an intern lower-quality therapy?
A lower fee does not mean less thoughtful care. Interns have less independent experience than fully licensed clinicians, but they also receive regular supervision, consultation, and feedback. The most important question is whether the therapist’s approach, personality, training, and available support fit your needs.
Will the supervisor know everything I discuss?
Your intern may discuss clinically relevant information during supervision to support treatment planning, ethical decision-making, and professional development. These discussions remain confidential and focused on supporting appropriate care.
Can my sessions be recorded or observed?
Recording or direct observation will not occur without your knowledge and written consent. You will have an opportunity to ask questions and decide whether you are comfortable before agreeing.
Do I have to be an immigrant to work with Asrar?
No. Although Asrar has a particular interest in supporting immigrants and clients navigating cultural adjustment, she also works with adults experiencing anxiety, depression, relationship concerns, identity questions, stress, and life transitions.
What if I cannot afford $30 per session?
Please reach out. The standard reduced fee is $30 per session, but additional sliding-scale options may be available. A limited number of pro bono openings are also available for clients experiencing significant financial hardship. Availability depends on the intern’s current caseload and the number of reduced-fee openings already in use.
Can I use insurance?
Internship counseling is offered as a reduced-fee self-pay service and is not billed through insurance.
How do I know whether this is the right fit?
You do not need to know before reaching out. A free consultation gives you an opportunity to learn more, discuss what you are looking for, ask questions, and decide whether moving forward feels comfortable. A consultation is not a commitment to begin therapy.
You deserve care that is both meaningful and accessible
You do not need the perfect explanation of what is wrong, and you do not need to tell your entire life story during a consultation. You only need enough information to begin a conversation about what you need and whether we may be able to help.
