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Clinical Counseling Interns

Welcome to our intern page. We are grateful to partner with these clinicians in training as they provide a valuable resource to our community. Each of these interns come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences and they add a new depth to our practice. Our counseling interns come to us from various local colleges and educational backgrounds. All interns are fully insured and are approved by the State of Missouri to provide counseling services under the direct supervision of a licensed therapist. Feel free to let us know if you are interested in starting counseling sessions with one of our interns. You can reach out to us by email located on the "Contact Us" page or click on the Forms button below to complete an registration packet. 

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If you are a student interested in our internship program please send your resume and contact information to: internships@connectedcounselingservices.net   We look forward to connecting with you. 

Clinical Counseling Interns

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Intern  - Amelia Qasem

​I am a counseling student at Missouri State University. I have experience working with children as young as 2, teens, and older adults. My approaches include person centered therapy, play therapy, and somatic therapy. Overall, I am person centered, focusing on creating a safe collaborative space for clients to process their feelings with me. I have seen success in decreasing problem behaviors in children through allowing them to express their emotions through play therapy. Through somatic therapy I lead guided meditations so clients can become more in tune with their bodies and feel more grounded. Overall, my goal is to empower my clients through fostering their personal growth. 

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Practicum- Tony Roldan

Tony is a counselor-in-training pursuing his Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at The University of the Cumberlands, set to graduate in September 2026. He obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Missouri State University and has over 25 years of experience in sales and management. Tony brings a blend of strengths in empathy, communication, and problem-solving skills. His background has deepened his ability to connect with people from all walks of life.

Tony has training in Motivational Interviewing (MI), Metacognitive Therapy (MCT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Written Exposure Therapy (WET) and uses evidence-based approaches to tailor sessions to each client’s needs. His goal is to provide a safe, collaborative space where you feel empowered to navigate challenges and achieve personal growth. He is excited to walk alongside you in meeting your personal goals and building resiliency.

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Practicum- Caitlin Davis

​I am a graduate student and counselor-in-training currently pursuing my Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Liberty University, with an anticipated graduation date of
August 2026.

I hold a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a cognate in counseling from Liberty University, which I earned in 2023. My passion for the field of counseling has been a driving force in my academic journey, and I am excited to begin my journey as a counseling intern as I work toward becoming a professional counselor.
My approach to counseling is rooted in a person-centered perspective, with a strong belief that each client is unique, capable of growth, and has a meaningful story to tell. I strive to create a therapeutic environment that is authentic, collaborative, and compassionate, recognizing the importance of a strong therapeutic alliance in the healing process.
I incorporate evidence-based practices such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), blending mindfulness, action-oriented strategies, and emotional processing to support clients in
achieving their goals. My role is to provide a safe, nonjudgmental space where clients feel seen, heard, and understood. As a counseling intern, I am here to support your journey and walk alongside you as you explore challenges, build resilience, and pursue personal growth.

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Practicum- Jessica Schafer

Jessica Flores-Schafer is a dedicated professional committed to empowering individuals across the lifespan to find and utilize their own voices. Currently an educator at a private school, Jessica integrates her clinical social work focus with her teaching expertise to support children and adults in both individual and group settings. She specializes in trauma-informed care, with deep expertise in grief recovery, betrayal trauma, depression, and domestic violence advocacy. Her practice addresses anxiety and behavioral issues by providing clients with the education and actionable coping skills necessary to become their own best advocates. Jessica’s approach ensures that every client is empowered to navigate their healing journey and take the right steps toward a self-determined future. As a mother to a son and a daughter, she is personally driven to help families build the resilience and confidence needed to thrive after life’s most difficult transitions.

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Intern  - Kayla Fink

I received my Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Missouri State University in May 2023. My primary experience has come from working with young adults; however, I have also had the opportunity to work with children and adults. 

I aim to create a safe and open environment where you feel comfortable talking about it all. I practice from a person-centered perspective, allowing the client to control where the session goes. I like to think of myself as a passenger in the boat of your life experience. I also use cognitive behavioral techniques, which promote change to increase a person's feeling of happiness and resilience. I am excited about the opportunity to learn about your life story as I begin to sail on this journey with you!

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Intern  - Taylor DeLoach

Taylor is a therapist-in-training pursuing a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health
Counseling at Missouri State University, with an anticipated graduation date of May
2026. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Missouri State in
December 2023. Taylor has experience working with children, adolescents, and adults,
and has supported individuals facing challenges related to behavioral concerns,
depression, anxiety, ADHD, grief and loss, trauma, foster care, adoption, and more.
She is currently working toward a certificate in American Sign Language to provide
more accessible and inclusive care. Taylor is passionate about creating a safe,
supportive environment where clients feel heard, valued, and empowered in their
journey toward healing and personal growth.

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Practicum- Stephen Grainger

I am a graduate student pursuing my Masters in Social Work from Arkansas State University. I plan on graduating in August 2026 working under supervision for the next two years and becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). I hold a Bachelor of Science in History from Southwest Baptist University which I earned in 2014, which included an emphasis on philosophy, political science, and criminal justice. 

I have a diverse set of life and work experience that I bring to the world of counseling. I have served my community as a police officer, consulted and organized with national political candidates, managed marketing efforts for rural health clinics and geriatric psychiatric services, and worked in public health helping to connect community members to relevant resources. 

Coming to the field of counseling, there are a few areas that I am very passionate about. First, I hold a strong belief that every client has inherent worth, value, a unique perspective, the capacity to learn, and lessons to teach. Second, it is of utmost importance that the therapeutic space is a safe space, where we can explore ideas, feelings, beliefs, and thoughts free of judgement. Empathy, care, and compassion guide this space, where two humans meet to discuss the breadth of human emotions and experiences. Third, I believe in the power of stories. The stories that we tell ourselves, the stories that are told about us, and the stories we want to tell the world. These stories have the ability to change the course of our lives, and I want to be a part of helping you tell your story. 

I consider it an honor to walk alongside you in this part of your journey as we work to help you accomplish your goals. 

©2023 by Connected Counseling Services. 

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