At Brown School, we are committed to supporting the whole child. We strive to ensure that every student has the opportunity to thrive academically, physically, emotionally, and socially. We intentionally cultivate a safe, inclusive environment where adults model empathy and students experience belonging, dignity, and pride in who they are.

As a member of the School Support Team, school counseling interns are expected to engage in both direct and indirect student services, working collaboratively with students, staff, and families.

Indirect Student Services

Indirect student services focus on supporting students through collaboration and systems-level work. These services may include:

• Consultation and collaboration with teachers, families, and school staff

• Referrals to school-based, district, or community resources

• Preparation and planning for counseling programs and lessons

• Data collection, analysis, and reflection to inform practice

• Support of schoolwide initiatives, workshops, and prevention efforts
  
  

Direct Student Services

Direct student services involve working directly with students to support their academic, social-emotional, and behavioral development. These services may include:

• Instruction of school counseling curriculum

• Individual and small-group counseling

• Classroom lessons and advisement

• Implementation of student standards aligned with the ASCA Mindsets & Behaviors for Student Success
  
  

Through both direct and indirect services, interns are supported in developing their professional identity while contributing meaningfully to the well-being of the school community.

Addressing Concerns

These concerns are common among emerging school counselors. At Brown School, they are met with support, structure, and opportunities for meaningful practice.

Concern: Feeling Unprepared

It is natural to feel unprepared when entering a new professional role. At Brown, interns are not expected to “already know.” Instead, interns are supported in building a strong foundation through modeling, collaboration, and guided practice. Support is built into the experience.

Concern: Making Mistakes

Mistakes are a natural and valuable part of learning. At our site, supervision emphasizes reflection and collaboration rather than evaluation. Interns are encouraged to ask questions, try new approaches, and grow through experience in a supportive environment.

Concern: Managing a Large Caseload

The ASCA National Model recommends a student-to-counselor ratio of 250:1, while the national average is significantly higher. During the internship, interns learn practical time-management and prioritization strategies to navigate real-world counseling demands. Interns engage in both direct services (individual, small-group, and classroom-based support) and indirect services (schoolwide initiatives, collaboration, and consultation), allowing for balanced and intentional practice.

Concern: Not Being Taken Seriously

Interns at Brown School are viewed as valued members of the School Support Team. Interns have opportunities to lead groups, attend teacher and counselor PLCs, contribute to SEL curriculum development, and participate in schoolwide initiatives. Interns are encouraged to practice self-advocacy and to advocate for students, staff, and families.

Concern: Lack of Supervision

Interns are supported and supervised by Julie Von Berckefeldt, M.A. (Ms. V), a school counselor with experience in elementary counseling and counselor preparation. Ms. V holds a Master’s degree in Counseling, a Pupil Personnel Services Credential, and is currently pursuing a doctorate in Educational Leadership at California State University, Stanislaus. Supervision at Brown balances guidance and autonomy, allowing interns to develop confidence, independence, and professional identity while knowing support is always available.

Concern: Educational Acronyms

Education includes many frameworks and acronyms that can feel overwhelming at first. At Brown, questions are welcomed and encouraged. Interns are supported in learning the language of the field at a manageable pace, and it is always okay to pause and ask for clarification.

Above all, the Brown School counseling internship is designed to be a place where interns can learn, grow, and develop confidence through meaningful, supported practice.