Internship Program

Our graduate-level counseling interns provide high-quality, low-cost therapy to the community. Interns are closely supervised, coached, supported, and trained by Simone Lavine, LPC, while they complete their masters-level education with their accredited institution.

All interns have previous experience in the human services field, and have completed at least one year of relevant higher education in counseling or a related field.

Meet The Interns

Rachel Hanstein

Rachel brings a diverse professional background to Heartwise Counseling. She graduated magna cum laude from Rowan University with a Bachelor’s degree in Radio, TV, and Film, and is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Capella University. In her role as a Patient Services Associate at Penn Medicine, Rachel developed an understanding of the healthcare system and the importance of compassionate, client-centered care. Her practicum experience as a Mental Health Counseling Intern at Deptford Township High School has further equipped her to address the unique challenges faced by young people from diverse backgrounds.

As a queer, neurodivergent person with firsthand experience navigating identity, societal expectations, and academic pressures, Rachel is deeply attuned to the unique struggles faced by LGBTQIA+ and neurodivergent youth, particularly teens and young adults. Her lived experience combined with her educational and professional training enables her to provide empathetic, affirming care and to create a safe, inclusive space for young people to explore their identities and experiences.

Rachel’s therapeutic approach is grounded in person-centered therapy, where she fosters a nonjudgmental, client-led environment. She is trauma-informed, neurodivergence-affirming, and committed to cultural humility, ensuring that each client’s unique needs and experiences are validated, respected, and understood in their full context. Rachel's warm, down-to-earth style helps her clients to feel at ease in the safety of her presence.

In her free time, Rachel enjoys playing and designing video games, writing, traveling, embroidering, and playing with her Corgi, Ellie.

Rachel offers both virtual and in-person sessions in our Audubon, NJ office.

Schedule a Consultation with Rachel

Rachel’s Areas of Focus:

LGBTQIA+ Affirmative Therapy
Gender & Sexual Identity
Person-Centered Therapy
Depression & Anxiety
Trauma
ADHD
Adolescents & Adults

Fee: $15-$50 for a 45-50 minute session

Lauren Hall

Lauren is a graduate student at Rider University, working toward her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. With a passion for supporting individuals on their journey to wellness, Lauren integrates her extensive background in health education and community engagement into her counseling practice.

In her current role as the Vice President of Education and Community Engagement at Planned Parenthood of Northern, Central, and Southern New Jersey, Lauren has gained invaluable experience working with diverse populations, addressing sensitive topics, and fostering inclusive environments. As a Certified Health Education Specialist, she is deeply committed to empowering individuals with knowledge and tools to improve their overall well-being. Lauren also has training in Child-Centered Play Therapy and enjoys working with children.

Lauren approaches counseling with warmth, empathy, and a focus on creating a safe space where clients feel seen and supported. Her clinical interests include supporting clients in navigating life transitions, managing stress and anxiety, healing from trauma, and fostering healthy relationships. She is particularly passionate about working with LGBTQIA+ individuals and creating inclusive spaces where clients feel seen and valued.

When she’s not working, Lauren loves spending time with her partner and two dogs, experimenting with new recipes, and exploring thrift stores for hidden treasures. She looks forward to supporting you on your journey toward healing, growth, and self-discovery.

Lauren offers both virtual and in-person sessions in our Audubon, NJ office.

Schedule a Consultation with Lauren

Lauren's Areas of Focus:

Depression & Anxiety
Life Transitions
Relationship Issues
LGBTQIA+ Affirmative Therapy
Gender & Sexual Identity
Sexual Health & Wellness
Children, Adolescents, & Adults

Fee: $15-$50 for a 45-50 minute session

Savannah Barr

Savannah is a graduate student at Rider University, working toward her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Savannah earned her B.S. in Psychology with a minor in Kinesiology from Penn State University.

Savannah approaches counseling through a strengths-based approach and a holistic perspective, taking into account the mind, body, environment and relationships that are all deeply interconnected and related to mental health and wellbeing.

With years of experience as a figure skater and figure skating coach, Savannah has worked with individuals of all ages, teaching skills, navigating mental blocks, and fostering resilience. Savannah has a particular passion for working with children and adolescents, who respond well to her kind, encouraging style. Savannah is pursuing advanced training in Play Therapy to support her work with children in a therapeutic context.

Savannah's role as a Graduate Assistant in Rider University's Career Development and Success office has given her career counseling experience that she is excited to use to support her clients. Savannah also gained invaluable experience as a crisis hotline counselor, completing training in suicide prevention and intervention.

As a certified Body Project Facilitator, Savannah is dedicated to empowering young people to cultivate a healthy body image and a positive relationship with food. Her experiences working with athletes have further fueled her passion for supporting mental health in sports.

Savannah will begin accepting new clients of all ages in January 2025. Savannah offers both virtual and in-person sessions in our Audubon, NJ office.

Schedule a Consultation with Savannah

Savannah's Areas of Focus:

Children, Adolescents & Adults
Behavioral Issues
Depression & Anxiety
Sports Performance
Eating Disorders & Body Image
Somatic & Mind-Body Approaches
Career Counseling

Fee: $15-$50 for a 45-50 minute session

Accepting Applications for Summer/Fall 2025

Apply Now

Heartwise Counseling is currently accepting applications from qualified graduate students looking to complete at least a full school-year clinical practicum and/or internship through their graduate institution. Interns will be expected to manage a caseload of clients and will receive ongoing support, supervision, and educational opportunities to support their personal and professional growth and learning.

The Program

This internship program is designed for second-year counseling students enrolled in a graduate institution, pursuing licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, or Licensed Clinical Social Worker.

Counseling Interns will be responsible for managing a caseload of at least 10 clients per week; this includes scheduling and conducting individual therapy sessions, administering assessments, developing treatment plans, completing documentation, and maintaining client records. Interns will also be expected to run and/or co-facilitate a therapy group in alignment with their specific areas of interest and expertise. Interns are expected to engage in ongoing reading and attend specialized trainings to support their learning, and may be eligible for need-based scholarship funding and/or payment plans to make training more accessible.

Interns will be able to see clients and run groups in person in our Audubon office, and/or conduct Telehealth sessions through HIPAA-compliant software.

This program is best-suited to students interested in developing a counseling practice based in attachment science, interpersonal neurobiology, affirmative therapy, somatic mindfulness, and collaborative advocacy. At Heartwise Counseling, we believe that cognitive behavioral approaches such as DBT, CBT, ACT, and ERP can be an important component of treatment, but we prioritize a bottom-up approach that aims to meet lower-order regulatory and relational needs prior to utilizing cortex-based interventions. Students who are interested in focusing solely on cognitive, behavioral, and/or solution-focused techniques (ABA, SFBT, REBT, CBT, ERP, DBT) will not be a good fit for this program.

Qualifications

Some basic knowledge of strengths-based, attachment-focused counseling theories and techniques
Experience working with individuals and/or groups in a counseling, mentorship, education, and/or other human service capacity
Strong communication and active listening skills
Ability to establish rapport and maintain professional boundaries with clients
Proficiency in documenting and maintaining client records
Commitment to cultural humility and respect
Experience and interest in working with diverse populations
Basic understanding and willingness to deepen knowledge of LGBTQIA+ affirmative practice
Basic understanding and willingness to deepen knowledge of neurodivergent affirming practice
Strong organizational and time management skills
Ability to work independently and collaboratively
Willingness to engage in extracurricular training, reading, and research
Ability to receive constructive feedback from supervisors
Ability to engage in self-reflection and seek support when needed
Strong reading, writing, and research skills
BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ individuals are strongly encouraged to apply

Supervision

Interns at Heartwise Counseling will work under direct supervision of Simone Lavine, LPC. Simone Lavine holds two Master's degrees from the University of Pennsylvania, one in Counseling and Mental Health Services, and the other in Professional Counseling. Simone works with children, teens, adults, couples, and families, and has advanced training in Internal Family Systems, Emotionally Focused Therapy with Couples and Families, Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy, IFS-Informed EMDR, Polyvagal Theory, Child-Centered Play Therapy, Filial Play, Theraplay, and Somatic Mindfulness practices. Simone also utilizes cognitive and behavioral therapies when appropriate.

Simone has experience working in elementary, middle, and high school settings, as well as facilitating extra-curricular youth programming. Simone's counseling practice is further informed by her background and teaching experience in theater, Yoga, and Expressive Arts.

Simone offers a hands-on, direct, and empowering supervision style that engages new therapists in active, reflective learning, and personal and professional growth.

Apply

Interested applicants should email the following to cover letter, resume, and two professional references to info@heartwisecounselingnj.com