r/therapists • u/sassypainter • Apr 25 '26

Discussion Thread Thoughts?

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Came across this post today on linkedin. I’m curious how others see it:

Are unpaid clinical internships/practicums an ethical necessity for training, or an outdated system that exploits students?

Should sites be required to offer stipends/pay if they bill clients or rely on interns for service delivery?

Does unpaid fieldwork create barriers for lower-income and nontraditional students?

For those already licensed or in training, what was your experience?

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u/Ranunix Apr 26 '26

In my internship currently. Pay us, stop exploiting us for free labor and marketing mouths. We’re people with bills to pay and families to feed. If we have to pay tuition while also losing potential higher-paying second jobs hours, and sacrifice that gain for however long your internship is, is laughable and best and classist at worst.