First cohort of BW clinical mental health counseling students begins internships

With the need for clinical mental health professionals on the rise across the U.S., BW is helping fill the void in placing its first cohort of graduate-level students at internship sites across Northeast Ohio.

In September, 10 second-year students in BW's Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program began their one-year clinical experience.

The students, who represent the inaugural class of the 24-month program, are working alongside licensed professionals in providing clinical services that include the diagnosis and treatment of individuals with mental and emotional disorders.

'Well-prepared for real-world work'

According to Dr. Erin West, department chair, the clinical experience builds on the rigorous academic preparation that begins year one of the program. West went on to say that the services provided by BW students in clinical settings include individual and group counseling, mental health diagnosis and evidence-based care to individuals in the community seeking mental health care.

"Our students are well-prepared for the real-world work of being a counselor," emphasized West. "All of BW's counseling faculty are licensed and actively practicing counselors who ensure that students are ready to meet the mental health needs of today's clients."

"Prior to starting their clinical experience, BW students receive training in how to provide high-quality and ethical counseling. Many of the students' clinical sites are qualified community behavioral health settings that accept Medicaid," she explained.

"As licensure-seeking counselor trainees working under the supervision of licensed professional clinical counselor supervisors, our students can offer a low-cost option for clients seeking services," noted West.

Ambition, grit and zeal lead to new career

For Lakewood, Ohio, resident Samantha Pitts, her clinical experience at OhioGuidestone puts her a step closer to a goal that is decades in the making.

At age 19, she went to beauty school. "It was the cheapest option for me, so I reasoned that being an esthetician would be 'good enough,'" admitted Pitts.

"After marriage, I experienced several pregnancy losses. They were the catalysts for me to change careers. Through my grief, I realized that life was too short for 'good enough,'" she recalled.

With motivation and momentum on her side, Pitts went on to earn her bachelor's degree and prepare for graduate studies. Along the way, she gave birth to her first child.

With graduation now in sight for next year, Pitts believes the BW program is exemplary. "The curriculum follows clear and logical guidelines citing required standards to provide insight of why we are learning what we are learning," explained Pitts.

"The faculty exude genuine, unconditional positive regard for their students. Being part of a cohort is a wonderful experience that creates cohesiveness that contributes to an effective and caring learning environment," she added.

Childhood experience inspires career pathway

Ava Vazquez knows firsthand what it means to have parental disappointment and a chaotic home life. It led her to a social worker, who became her inspiration for a career helping others.

"I want to help people feel seen, heard and understood. I hope to create a space where clients can express themselves freely, build self-awareness, and develop the tools they need to cope and grow," said the Elyria, Ohio, resident.

Vazquez began the master's in clinical mental health counseling program after earning her undergraduate degree from BW in 2024. Her clinical experience is at Pathways Counseling & Growth Center.

"I hope to learn from working with and observing experienced counselors — seeing their different approaches and using that to help build my own counselor identity. I want to grow my professional skills to become a confident, well-rounded counselor," articulated Vazquez.

"The BW program does a great job of preparing us by giving us a strong foundation in ethics, human development, different counseling approaches and the behind-the-scenes work of being a counselor," remarked Vazquez.

"But no amount of coursework can fully prepare you for sitting across from a client and listening to their complex experiences. Every session is a learning opportunity, and you're constantly adapting," she said.

Using her voice to bridge communities

Ayah Jadallah believes in the power of her voice to help bridge a divide she sees between the mental health community and her Palestinian Muslim American community. Having seen what she describes as dissonance between the two, she believes she can make an important difference.

The Middleburg Heights, Ohio, resident received her undergraduate degree from BW before enrolling in the clinical mental health counseling program. Her current internship is at Riveon.

"It truly was a change in pace transitioning from our coursework last year to now, interfacing with clients. Our professors have truly done a wonderful job preparing us for our internship, where, as nervous as I was, I was still ready and had all the tools I needed to do the great work I was taught," said Jadallah.

"I felt the first day I walked into the internship that, no matter what, I was prepared and confident that my professors had built an effective curriculum for me to provide the best care possible for our clients," she noted.

Accepting applications for a fall 2026 start

BW is currently accepting applications for the fall 2026 cohort of the master's in clinical mental health counseling program. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. The preferred deadline for the application is Feb. 1, 2026.

The program is offered in a full-time format that consists primarily of in-person classes. The program offers a fixed class schedule with classes occurring 1.5 days per week, only on Mondays and Tuesdays, so students can plan around a predictable course schedule. Courses are taken in sequence throughout the fall, spring and summer semesters.

Upon completion of the program, students will graduate with a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and be eligible to sit for the National Counselor's Exam (NCE) and earn licensed professional counselor licensure in Ohio.