Senior Gabrielle Krutsinger Gains an Understanding of Therapy in Rural Communities in Summer Internship

Gabrielle Krutsinger, a senior psychology major from Imperial Nebraska, wants to go to graduate school for therapy, and she was looking for an internship that would teach her the skills she might someday need in that. "I wanted to learn more about the field of mental health therapy.” She found that opportunity with an internship with the Child and Family Institute of Nebraska.  

In her internship, Krutsinger had the opportunity to learn about a specific kind of mental health therapy, for a specific community. “I plan to go to grad school after graduating from Concordia and this internship has given me the opportunity to see what being a private mental health therapist looks like in a rural setting.” 

A typical day for Krutsinger involved a lot of office work. This meant scheduling clients, doing phone intakes, emailing staff and mailing things. Additionally, she was given the opportunity to sit in on therapy sessions with clients of different ages and backgrounds and needs.  

Krutsinger is grateful for the internship because it pushed her out of her comfort zone in several ways. Through the office work, she improved her communication and listening skills. She got to practice her listening skills as she observed sessions with real clients, from a variety of backgrounds and stages of life. “Sitting through therapy sessions helped me truly understand how important it is that therapy is available for all people, especially those in rural communities," said Krutsinger.

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