Graduate school in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is no small commitment. Add in a part-time internship, a part-time job, and the desire to pursue extra training or certifications, and it can feel like you’re constantly juggling a dozen balls in the air and hoping none of them drop.
As a second-year CMHC student at Belmont University, I’m currently in my Internship I placement while working part-time for Belmont’s Office of Accessibility Services. My classes are all in person, three nights a week. Like many of my peers, I’m constantly learning how to balance the clinical, academic, and financial demands of this chapter without burning out or losing sight of why I came into the field in the first place.
Here’s what I’ve learned (and am still learning) about managing it all while being intentional, flexible, and kind to myself.
1. Structure Your Week Like a Clinician, Not Just a Student
The shift from student to intern requires a mindset change. You’re not just attending school; you are now practicing to be a clinician. That means treating your time as a valuable resource.
At the start of each week, I map out all my non-negotiables: internship hours, work shifts, and class times. Then I block out protected time for studying, case notes, and personal time. I use a paper calendar to document upcoming events, shifts, and client meetings.
By visually seeing how much time each area takes up, I can plan more realistically and avoid the trap of overcommitting.
2. Accept That You Can’t Do Everything, and That’s Okay!
There are so many exciting trainings, webinars, and certifications available to counseling students, especially if you’re exploring niche areas like trauma, eating disorders, or LGBTQ+ affirmative therapy. The drive to learn more is a beautiful thing, but it can also become a fast track to burnout if it overrides your bandwidth.
Instead of saying yes to every opportunity, I’ve started asking myself:
● Is this training directly relevant to my current goals or clients?
● Will I be able to absorb and apply this information meaningfully right now?
● Can this wait until after graduation?
Being selective doesn’t mean you’re falling behind; it means you’re honoring your limits and prioritizing sustainability.
3. Set Boundaries with Your Time and Energy
Boundaries aren’t just for our clients. They’re essential for us, too, especially when you’re switching between roles throughout the day. One minute you’re holding emotional space for a client, the next you’re looking to meet your boss’s needs, and later you’re in class trying to absorb advanced psychopathology.
To protect my energy, I’ve learned to:
● Say no to social events when I need rest, without guilt.
● Limit client-related work (like documentation or prep) to specific time blocks so it doesn’t bleed into personal time.
● Use “transition rituals” between roles. This could entail something as simple as a short walk to mentally reset.
4. Use Supervision and Support Systems Intentionally
Internship and Practicum can feel isolating, especially if your site doesn’t have a large cohort of students. Don’t underestimate the value of your supervision time. Whether your supervision is held individually or in a group setting, this is a safe space to talk through obstacles. Talking through your workload, emotional challenges, or time management struggles creates space for insight from others and alleviates feelings of isolation. Your supervisor isn’t just there to help you grow clinically; they can also support your professional development as a whole person.
Likewise, stay connected with your cohort. Peer support is a lifeline. Nobody understands the unique stressors of this phase quite like other counseling students.
5. Prioritize Well-Being, Not Just Productivity
It’s easy to fall into the trap of measuring your worth by how much you get done in a day. But in this field, your presence is your most important tool. That means taking care of yourself physically, emotionally, and mentally.
Simple but effective ways to prioritize well-being:
● Pack nourishing snacks or meals to get through long days.
● Build in short moments of stillness (even 5 minutes of breathing between appointments).
● Get outside, move your body, and connect with people who ground you.
Burnout isn’t a badge of honor. It’s a signal that something needs to shift, and listening to that early can make all the difference.
Final Thoughts
Balancing internship, work, and grad school in a CMHC graduate program isn’t easy, and it’s not supposed to be. You’re learning to hold space for others while also learning to hold space for yourself. You’re becoming a clinician not just in your knowledge, but in your lifestyle, your boundaries, and your self-awareness.
It’s okay if you’re tired. It’s okay if you don’t get everything done perfectly. What matters is that you’re showing up for your clients, your classes, and most importantly, yourself.
This field asks a lot of you, but it’s also a field rooted in passion and purpose. Hold onto that and let it remind you that you’re exactly where you’re meant to be.