Christine Hennigan Paone

If you’re like me, you immediately envision a giant check when you hear the word clearinghouse. Sadly, I have no balloons or prize-money for you (trust me, I wish). There’s a different type of clearinghouse, however, that might not make you rich, but it can add some richness to your clinical repertoire.

Every intern deserves a meaningful training experience via his or her field placements. Sadly, some of the most valuable clinical lessons are learned when crisis strikes.

I still struggle with the notion of interview preparation. I’ve interviewed hundreds of job candidates, coached students on interview strategies, and gone on my fair share of interviews. As for interview preparation, I’ve always felt there’s a fine line between being prepared and being rehearsed.

This semester, I have the unique opportunity of co-teaching Foundations of Mental Health Counseling at my Alma mater. As ten students begin their journeys, I’m eager to impart the wisdom that I gained (and a few things I wish I had known) during my own studies.

One of my goals for January is to find a new therapist. Part professional development, part self care, I’ve learned that having a counselor rounds out my support system, even when life feels relatively stable.