For Pastors
What does Church Therapy Associates do?
We partner with churches and Christian colleges to provide low-cost clinical mental health care at your site. We do this by placing a Master’s-level counseling student at your church for a minimum of one year. They will complete their internship, working under intensive clinical supervision. At the end of that year, a new student will be placed at your site or the graduate may continue in their role at your site if they choose to do so.
We work on a subscription model – the site pays a monthly fee based on the number of sessions offered and the clients pay a small monthly fee based on weekly or biweekly sessions. Bringing clinical mental health care to your site offers care to your parishioners or students without you taking on administration or professional liability for those services.
Where are you currently operating?
We are currently operating in Massachusetts, but we hope to expand to other states. If your church is in proximity to a Christian graduate program in counseling, we can work with you to connect with the school and see if they are interesting in having interns placed at your site. Please contact us with networking opportunities — we love to make new connections!
How is Church Therapy Associates’ model different?
We work on an outsourcing model — you contract with us to address the mental health needs of your congregation. However, because we come to you on-site, a partnership with us is like adding to your team for a fraction of the cost of hiring a staff person.
How do I find out more?
Contact Kristen at churchtherapist@gmail.com for more information or to ask any additional questions.
For Counseling Students
How can I be placed in an internship with Church Therapy Associates?
We have a limited number of spaces each year at our current partnership sites. You can email Kristen at churchtherapist@gmail.com to express an interest in applying to one of these internship spots. All internships are for a full calendar year.
Can I bring this to my own church?
YES! We develop new partnerships and add new sites when we make a connection with a counseling student and a pastor. If your pastor has an interest in having you serve the congregation, let’s talk! You might just be our next site.
Will I be able to count my hours towards my school/licensure requirements?
We follow all Massachusetts state regulations for LMHC licensure. We are a non-profit agency (NOT private practice or group private practice) with board oversight and federal/state requirements for compliance. You will receive all of your required internship hours and supervision hours with us.
I already graduated, can I work with Church Therapy Associates?
Currently, we are unable to hire Master’s-level clinicians who are not yet licensed due to a lack of funding. On occasion we are able to hire clinicians who have completed their internship with us. We hope to expand in the future! If you are interested, contact Kristen at churchtherapist@gmail.com and let’s talk. We are open to creative ideas to see more people in the church receive clinical mental health care.