Lacey Cottingham MSW, LCSW
As part of our commitment to continuing education and filling the field with kick ass therapists, Origins Counseling and Wellness, PLLC partners with a few graduate school programs to train graduate students in their practicum and/internships.
We call these students our “intern therapists”. Intern therapists are students working towards one of the 4 masters (or doctorate!) degrees that permit someone to do therapy in North Carolina.
Student therapists see a certain number of clients a week, attend classes on therapeutic methods, then meet with a fully licensed therapist to help them grow and ensure proper care for their clients. At Origins we take it one step further and have them observe sessions conducted by licensed therapists (with full permission of the clients that can be cancelled at any time).
Since beginning our internship program in 2023, we have observed some key advantages to choosing an intern as your therapist.
Why Choose an Intern Therapist? Key Advantages
Lower Cost & Accessibility
Intern therapists often provide services at a reduced rate under supervision. This makes therapy more financially accessible, especially for clients who might not otherwise be able to afford ongoing sessions.
Up-to-Date Training
Because they’re in school, our intern therapists are immersed in the latest research, theories, and evidence-based practices. Clients may benefit from fresh, innovative approaches that reflect the current best practices in the field.
High Level of Support & Supervision
Internship students are closely supervised by licensed professionals. That means clients essentially get “two brains” working on their concerns—the student’s dedication and creativity, plus the guidance and oversight of an experienced clinician.
Motivation & Dedication
Students are often eager, attentive, and highly motivated to help. They may take extra care with preparation, reflection, and tailoring interventions because they’re actively honing their skills and want to provide excellent support.
Collaborative & Empowering Approach
Because students are learning, they often adopt a curious, non-assuming stance, encouraging collaboration and mutual problem-solving. This can feel very empowering for clients, who get to actively shape the therapeutic process.
Meet our Interns for Fall 2025
This semester we have two lovely interns Liliah Andrews and Nik Zimmer. They’d both love to meet and work with you!
To schedule with one of our internship students, text “Intern (and include their name if you have a preference)” to 252-220-0420 OR email appointments@originscw.com
Fees for Intern Therapists
Our intern therapists operate on a “pay what you can” scale, meaning that you (the client) get to choose your fee between $5 and $55! We want services to be accessible for individuals and couples. We do ask that couples seeing the students pay $55 fee for services.
Our Process for Booking
After you text or email us to schedule, the internship coordinator, Lacey Cottingham, will reach out to you for a brief 10-15 minute phone call. This call is to ensure that our students can meet your needs and explain the process! Once the call is complete and everything is a “go”, then Lacey will send you documents to complete within our secure client portal and schedule your appointment with your preferred Intern Therapist! You can complete everything online via fillable forms!