A practicum is your first supervised clinical experience, typically requiring 100 hours with extensive oversight and observation. An internship follows, requiring 600+ hours, where you carry a real caseload with increasing independence. Both are required for substance abuse counselor licensure, but practicums focus on learning fundamentals while internships prepare you for professional practice.
Table of Contents
- The Core Differences Between Practicum and Internship
- Practicum: Your Foundation in Clinical Work
- Internship: Stepping Into Professional Practice
- State-Specific Requirements for Field Experience
- Finding the Right Practicum or Internship Site
- What to Expect: Your First Days and Weeks
- Common Challenges and How to Navigate Them
- Frequently Asked Questions
If you’re pursuing a career in substance abuse counseling, you’ve probably heard the terms “practicum” and “internship” used interchangeably. They’re not the same thing. Understanding the distinction between these two clinical training experiences is critical for planning your education, meeting licensure requirements, and preparing yourself mentally for what lies ahead.
Both practicums and internships are hands-on learning experiences that take place in real clinical settings with actual clients. They’re where your classroom knowledge transforms into practical skills. The confusion is understandable because both involve supervised work, both count toward your credential requirements, and both happen outside traditional classroom settings. The differences come down to timing, intensity, independence, and what’s expected of you.
This guide breaks down exactly what each experience entails, how the requirements differ, and what you can realistically expect during your first clinical placements. Whether you’re just starting to explore addiction counseling programs or you’re weeks away from your first practicum, this information will help you navigate these critical training experiences with confidence.
The Core Differences Between Practicum and Internship
The fundamental distinction comes down to timing, scope, and independence. A practicum is your first supervised clinical experience, completed before you begin an internship. It’s designed as a carefully supervised introduction to counseling work where you’ll observe experienced professionals, practice basic skills, and work with a limited caseload under close oversight.
An internship is an advanced field experience that follows successful completion of a practicum. It’s characterized by more independent counseling work, increased responsibility, and a caseload that approximates what you’ll carry as a fully licensed professional. Think of a practicum as learning to drive with an instructor who has their own brake pedal. An internship is moving on your own with someone in the passenger seat who can offer guidance but expects you to handle the road.
| Element | Practicum | Internship |
|---|---|---|
| Total Hours (CACREP Minimum) | 100 hours | 600 hours |
| Direct Client Hours | 40 hours minimum | 240 hours minimum |
| Weekly Time Commitment | 10-15 hours | 20-25 hours |
| Typical Duration | One semester (8-10 weeks) | Two semesters or one intensive semester |
| Supervision Level | High (close oversight) | Moderate (consultation available) |
| Primary Focus | Observation and skill building | Independent practice development |
| Caseload | Very limited (1-3 clients) | Resembles entry-level professional load |
| Timing in Program | Mid-program | Final year/capstone |
These requirements come from the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), which sets standards for master’s-level counseling programs. If you’re in a CACREP-accredited program, these minimums apply to you. Certificate programs and state-specific credentials may have different requirements, which we’ll cover in the state-specific section below.
Practicum: Your Foundation in Clinical Work
Hours and Time Commitment
If you’re enrolled in a CACREP-accredited counseling program, your practicum will require a minimum of 100 clock hours completed over one full academic term of at least eight to ten weeks. Of these 100 hours, at least 40 must be direct service hours spent in face-to-face counseling with actual clients. This includes individual sessions, couples counseling, family therapy, or group work. The remaining 60 hours are indirect service activities.
Direct service means you’re actively counseling clients, conducting intake assessments, leading groups, or providing crisis intervention. Indirect hours encompass the supporting work that makes counseling possible:
- Recordkeeping and clinical documentation
- Attending individual and group supervision meetings
- Researching intervention strategies and treatment approaches
- Case conceptualization and treatment planning
- Participating in staff meetings and in-service trainings
- Consulting with interdisciplinary team members
- Information gathering and referral coordination
Most practicum students spend 10-15 hours per week at their field sites. This commitment is manageable alongside coursework but still substantial enough to provide meaningful clinical experience. You’ll likely complete practicum while taking other classes, so expect a busy semester.
Supervision Requirements
Supervision is intensive during practicum, reflecting your novice status and the need for close oversight as you develop foundational skills. CACREP standards require an average of one hour per week of individual or triadic supervision (one supervisor with two students) from your site supervisor throughout the practicum. You’ll also participate in an average of 1.5 hours of group supervision per week, provided by a counselor education program faculty member.
This dual-supervision structure ensures you receive both on-the-ground guidance from practicing professionals and academic support to integrate theory with practice. Your site supervisor must meet specific qualifications:
- Master’s degree in counseling or a related field (minimum)
- Active certification or licensure in their state
- At least two years of post-master’s professional experience relevant to substance abuse counseling
- Training in clinical supervision methods
What You’ll Actually Do
During practicum, expect to spend considerable time observing. You’ll shadow experienced counselors during sessions, sit in on group therapy, observe intake assessments, and watch treatment planning meetings. This observational learning is invaluable. You’ll take notes on how professionals phrase questions, handle resistance, manage crises, and maintain therapeutic boundaries.
As you progress through the semester, you’ll gradually begin seeing clients yourself, starting with a very small caseload. You might conduct intake assessments, co-lead psychoeducational groups, or provide individual counseling sessions. All of this happens with extensive preparation and debriefing with your supervisor. The emphasis is on quality over quantity, with supervisors prioritizing skill development over productivity.
One critical CACREP requirement: during either practicum or internship, you must gain experience leading or co-leading a counseling or psychoeducational group. Many students fulfill this requirement during practicum by co-facilitating process groups, relapse prevention groups, or educational sessions on topics like coping skills or family dynamics in addiction.
You’ll also be required to record your counseling sessions for review during supervision. This typically means audio or video recordings that you’ll watch with your supervisor. It can feel uncomfortable initially. Seeing yourself on screen or hearing your voice often triggers self-criticism. But reviewing recordings with your supervisor is one of the most powerful learning tools available, allowing you to see your own counseling dynamics and receive specific, actionable feedback.
Internship: Stepping Into Professional Practice
Hours and Time Commitment
After completing the practicum, you’ll move into an internship, which requires a minimum of 600 clock hours in roles and settings relevant to substance abuse counseling. Of these 600 hours, at least 240 must be direct service with actual clients. The remaining indirect hours follow the same categories as practicum, but at a much larger scale.
Most students complete an internship over two semesters, though some programs offer a full-time, single-semester option for students who can commit 40+ hours per week. The typical commitment is 20-25 hours per week, essentially a part-time professional position. This increased time commitment reflects the internship’s purpose: to approximate the comprehensive work experience of a professional substance abuse counselor and serve as the capstone of your clinical training.
Supervision Structure
Internship supervision mirrors practicum in structure but shifts in focus. You’ll still receive an average of one hour per week of individual or triadic supervision from your site supervisor and 1.5 hours per week of group supervision from faculty. The nature of supervision evolves, though. Rather than focusing on basic skill acquisition, internship supervision emphasizes clinical judgment, case conceptualization, treatment planning for complex cases, management of co-occurring disorders, ethical decision-making in gray areas, and integration of theory into practice.
Your supervisor remains available for consultation, and you’ll review challenging cases together. But you’ll make many clinical decisions on your own, determining appropriate interventions, assessing risk, adjusting treatment plans as clients progress, and managing your time and caseload. This increased autonomy can feel both exciting and daunting. It’s precisely what prepares you for independent practice.
What You’ll Actually Do
During an internship, you’ll carry a caseload that resembles what you’ll handle as a licensed counselor, though potentially smaller and with more support available. Your responsibilities will include:
- Conducting comprehensive intake assessments
- Developing and updating individualized treatment plans
- Providing individual and group counseling sessions
- Managing crises with consultation available
- Coordinating care with other professionals and agencies
- Completing all required clinical documentation
- Participating fully in staff meetings and case consultations
If you didn’t fulfill the group counseling requirement during practicum, you must do so during internship. This might mean co-leading or independently facilitating psychoeducational groups on relapse prevention, coping skills, mindfulness-based relapse prevention, medication-assisted treatment support, or process groups focused on underlying issues that contribute to substance use.
State-Specific Requirements for Field Experience
While CACREP standards provide the framework for master’s-level counseling programs, state requirements for substance abuse counselor credentials vary significantly. Some states have practicum-like experiences built into their credentialing pathways outside the traditional academic model.
| State | Credential | Supervised Hours | Direct Counseling Hours | Notable Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | SUDP | 1,500-2,500 (varies by degree) | 600 minimum | First 50 direct hours must be under direct observation |
| California | CADC-I | 2,080-3,000 (varies by degree) | 255 practicum hours | Must cover 12 Core Functions |
| Texas | LCDC | 4,000 | Varies | Practicum hours count toward total |
| Utah | SUDC Intern | 200 practicum minimum | Included in practicum | 200 hours SUD education also required |
The variation across states underscores the importance of understanding both your academic program’s requirements and your state’s specific credentialing pathway. A practicum or internship completed as part of your degree program typically counts toward your state’s supervised experience requirements, but you’ll need to verify this with your state licensing board. Don’t assume. Check with your state’s regulatory board early in your program to ensure your field experiences align with the requirements for eventual licensure. For more details on how to accumulate your required hours, see our complete supervised experience guide.
Finding the Right Practicum or Internship Site
Starting Your Search
Securing an appropriate practicum or internship site is typically your responsibility, though programs provide varying levels of support. Start your search several months before you plan to start the practicum. Site approval processes can take weeks and involve coordination among you, the potential site, and your academic program. Begin by consulting with:
- Your program’s director of clinical training or practicum coordinator
- Your academic advisor
- Program faculty with connections in the addiction treatment field
- Alumni who have completed placements in your area
Most counseling programs maintain lists of approved sites and established relationships with addiction treatment centers, community mental health agencies, residential treatment facilities, outpatient clinics, medication-assisted treatment programs, and dual diagnosis programs. If you identify a site not on the approved list, you can typically petition to have it added. If you’re researching programs, our guide to top substance abuse counseling internship programs highlights schools with strong job placement rates.
Essential Site Characteristics
An appropriate practicum or internship site must provide specific elements to qualify:
- Regularly scheduled counseling opportunities as a primary activity
- At least one qualified supervisor is available for weekly oversight
- Adequate space and resources to support your training
- Permission for you to record counseling sessions for supervision
- A genuine commitment to student education and development
For substance abuse counseling specifically, look for sites that offer exposure to diverse populations affected by addiction, experience with evidence-based practices like Motivational Interviewing and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, opportunities to participate in comprehensive assessment and treatment planning, and involvement in the continuum of care from intake through discharge.
If you’re already working in the addiction field, you may be able to use your workplace as your practicum or internship site. This typically requires specific conditions: your work setting must be appropriate for counseling training, you’ll perform duties different from your current role, your site supervisor must be different from your work supervisor, and your program must approve the arrangement in advance.
The Interview Process
Approach site interviews as you would job interviews. These placements are competitive, and sites don’t have to accept you. Research the agency’s mission, the population it serves, and its treatment approach before your interview. Prepare thoughtful questions about supervision style, caseload expectations, recording policies, scheduling flexibility, and typical responsibilities for practicum students or interns.
Demonstrate professionalism, organization, and genuine interest. Have your resume, unofficial transcript, and program requirements ready to share. Be flexible with interview scheduling and prompt in all communications. If a site offers you a placement, respond quickly. Sites often interview multiple students and need to fill positions on their timeline. Also, explore scholarships for addiction counseling students to help fund your education.
What to Expect: Your First Days and Weeks
Orientation and Onboarding
Your first days at a practicum or internship site typically involve extensive orientation and paperwork. Expect to complete:
- Background checks and drug screens
- Agency-specific training on policies and procedures
- HIPAA and confidentiality training
- Electronic health records system training
- Safety and crisis protocols review
- Introductions to staff and facility tour
You’ll likely meet with your site supervisor during the first week to establish learning objectives, create a schedule, review supervision expectations, discuss your strengths and areas for growth, and complete required forms for your academic program.
The Documentation Reality
One aspect of practicum and internship that surprises many students is the sheer volume of documentation. Counseling is a highly regulated field, and proper documentation is both ethically required and legally necessary. You’ll spend significant time learning to write intake notes, treatment plans, session progress notes, contact notes for interactions with other providers, crisis assessments, and termination summaries.
Initially, your notes will likely be returned with feedback and requests for revision. This is normal. Keep a running list of common input and refer to it until corrections become automatic. Once you develop proficiency, expect to spend 10-15 minutes on documentation for each session. In the beginning, it will take longer.
The Learning Curve
The first few weeks of practicum or internship can feel overwhelming. You’re learning a new setting, new documentation systems, new theoretical approaches, new client populations, new supervisory relationships, and new professional expectations all at once. This is normal.
Give yourself permission to ask questions, observe extensively before jumping in, take detailed notes on everything, acknowledge what you don’t know, and practice self-compassion as you develop competence. One of the most valuable uses of early supervision time is asking, “What should I be focusing on learning right now?” and “What resources can help me develop in this area?”
Common Challenges and How to Navigate Them
Imposter Syndrome
Nearly every counseling student experiences imposter syndrome during practicum and internship. It’s that nagging sense that you’re not qualified to do this work, that you’re going to harm clients, that everyone else seems more confident and competent. This feeling is so familiar it’s almost a rite of passage.
The reality is that you are a beginner, and beginners feel uncertain. That’s why you have supervision, liability insurance, and a team of professionals supporting you. Some strategies that help: normalize the discomfort by talking about it in supervision and with peers, focus on small wins like a client who returns for a second session or positive feedback from your supervisor, remember that clients benefit from working with someone genuinely invested in their growth, and give yourself time. Counseling competence develops over years, not weeks.
Balancing Independence and Consultation
One of the trickiest balances in practicum and internship is developing appropriate independence. Some students err on the side of asking too many questions and seeking constant reassurance. Others struggle to recognize when consultation is needed and try to handle everything on their own.
The goal is progressive independence. Early in practicum, it’s entirely appropriate to check in frequently with your supervisor, especially regarding clinical decisions, crises, ethical questions, and unfamiliar presentations. As you gain experience and confidence, you’ll naturally consult less frequently. You should always err on the side of consultation when client safety or ethical questions arise.
If your supervisor comments that you need to demonstrate more independence, it’s not a criticism of your ability. It’s feedback that you’re ready for the next developmental stage.
Preventing Burnout
Substance abuse counseling is emotionally demanding work, and burnout can begin even during training. Monitor yourself for warning signs:
- Loss of motivation or energy for clinical work
- Sense of detachment from clients or the work itself
- Increased self-doubt about your abilities
- Growing negativity or cynicism
- Difficulty staying present in sessions
Burnout doesn’t resolve on its own. It requires intentional intervention. As soon as you notice these signs, discuss them with your supervisor. Together, you can assess whether your caseload needs adjustment, whether you need additional support in certain areas, and how your self-care practices are supporting you.
Self-care during practicum and internship isn’t optional. It’s part of your professional responsibility. Maintain boundaries between your site hours and personal time, engage in activities that restore you, and consider your own therapy to process the emotional impact of the work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do practicum hours count toward state licensure requirements?
In most states, yes. Practicum and internship hours completed as part of an accredited degree program typically count toward your total supervised experience requirements for licensure. The specific rules vary by state, so verify with your state licensing board. Some states require a minimum number of hours to be completed after graduation, while others count all supervised hours regardless of when they occurred.
Can I complete my practicum or internship at my current workplace?
Possibly, but with conditions. Most programs require that you perform different duties than your regular job, have a different supervisor than your work supervisor, and receive prior approval from your academic program. The goal is to ensure you’re getting genuine training experiences rather than just doing your regular job with a practicum label attached.
What should I do if I have a difficult supervisor?
Good supervision includes regular scheduled meetings, thoughtful questions that deepen your clinical thinking, constructive feedback, and professional modeling. If you’re experiencing problematic supervision, document your concerns and consult with your academic supervisor or program director. Some problems can be addressed through direct conversation. Others may require a change to the site or supervisor. Your program has a responsibility to ensure you receive adequate supervision.
Do I need professional liability insurance as a student?
Yes. Both CACREP standards and most sites require students to carry professional liability insurance during practicum and internship. Student policies are typically affordable, often $30-60 per year for standard coverage. Your site’s insurance or your institution’s coverage is not sufficient for your personal protection. You need your own individual policy. Major providers include HPSO, CPH & Associates, and the American Professional Agency.
What’s the difference between direct and indirect hours?
Direct hours involve face-to-face counseling with clients, including individual sessions, group therapy, family counseling, intake assessments, and crisis intervention. Indirect hours include all the supporting activities: documentation, supervision meetings, treatment planning, case consultation, staff meetings, and professional development. Both types count toward your total hour requirements, but you must meet minimum thresholds for direct client contact.
Key Takeaways
- Practicum (100 hours minimum) comes first and focuses on observation and supervised skill-building with a limited caseload.
- The internship (600 hours minimum) follows the practicum and involves carrying a professional-level caseload with increasing independence.
- Both require weekly individual supervision from a qualified site supervisor plus group supervision from program faculty.
- State requirements vary significantly, so verify your specific state’s supervised experience requirements early in your program.
- Start searching for sites 3-4 months before you need to begin, and approach site interviews as you would job interviews
- Imposter syndrome and overwhelm are normal during your first clinical placements. Use supervision, practice self-care, and give yourself time to develop competence.
Ready to Start Your Path to Becoming a Substance Abuse Counselor?
Understanding practicum and internship requirements is just one piece of the puzzle. Explore your state’s complete licensing requirements and find accredited programs that will prepare you for this rewarding career.
