Candid Cherry Tree Chats
From Intern to Associate: A Candid Conversation on the Therapist Journey
An interview with Ramann Patara and Lauren Anastasi
Watch the full video or check out the key highlights below!
What does it truly mean to transition from an intern to a practicing associate therapist, and how does that journey shape one's approach to therapy?
In the world of counselling, every therapist's journey is unique, shaped by personal experiences, aspirations, and the challenges they encounter along the way. In this special video edition of our blog, Intern Therapist Ramann Patara sits down with Lauren Anastasi, who has recently moved from Intern to Associate Therapist at Cherry Tree Counselling.
If you are interested in working with either Ramann or Lauren or would like to be matched with a therapist on our team, feel free to book a session or email us at admin@cherrytreecounselling.ca to get started!
The Interview
RAMANN: Lauren, congratulations on completing your MACP degree - it is such an amazing accomplishment! How do you feel and what did you do to celebrate?
LAUREN: It feels great to have completed my [degree] - it was a rigorous program as you know and I am so grateful for all the support I received from my peers, my clinical placement here at Cherry Tree and my family. I celebrated by having dinner with my peers and I plan to go to the graduation ceremony next June.
Q: What were some highlights of your experience as an intern student therapist?
LAUREN: Some of the highlights of being an intern student therapist was supervision which was a non-judgemental space for me to consider different approaches to supporting clients and to reflect on my own processes. Having support from my peers - we continue to help each other and putting my learning into practice. I really liked doing the Walk-and-Talk training and now I am putting that into practice. I am seeing clients for walk-and -talk [therapy], which is just a beautiful experience as well. Also, the team. I mean, the team at Cherry Tree. Like all the therapists and the Director, like everyone is so welcoming and warm and helpful.
RAMANN: I actually connected with you and with Cherry Tree because you posted about the ecotherapy course earlier this winter, and so I enrolled in it. I am super excited and I hope I get to offer walk-and-talk to clients as well!
LAUREN: Right. When you're walking and talking. There's just something like, really, organic about it; walking alongside each other and sharing in that way and the process and processing in nature. It's very therapeutic.
RAMANN: On that note, I'm really excited to be able to dive into Amy's course, Ecotherapy Through An Indigenous Lens. It will be wonderful to make those nature-based connections.
LAUREN: Me too. I haven't taken that yet, but I think that'll be amazing.
Q: What were some of the challenges you faced?
LAUREN: The challenging part of being a student therapist is wanting to help immediately, that urge to help and support and knowing it all takes time - to build the therapeutic relationship, to find the tools that work for the individual and to honour the process.
RAMANN: I completely resonated with how you say honour the process. I am really learning to do that and trust the process.
Q: Can you describe a pivotal moment during your internship that significantly impacted your growth as a therapist?
LAUREN: During the end of my practicum, I realized I can't be all things to all people. There are specific issues and struggles where I can provide support based on my own experiences and healing, while there are others where I still need to learn. It’s important to recognize that not every client will be the right fit for me. My priority is ensuring clients receive the best support possible, even if that means referring them to a colleague who might be better suited to help. This humility—understanding my strengths and limitations—became clearer as my practicum progressed.
RAMANN: It’s wonderful to gain such deep awareness about our limitations. Throughout the program, we’ve discussed the importance of self-reflection and exploring these ideas.
LAUREN: Yes, and this comes from working with people, right?
Q: How did your approach to therapy evolve during your internship?
LAUREN: I can express my desire to learn more about certain topics, even if I’m not ready to dive in just yet. It’s important to pace myself. I remember feeling overwhelmed by the urge to know everything immediately, but I’ve realized it’s okay to say, “I’ll explore this later.”
Sometimes, when working with clients, I find it helpful to say, “Let’s revisit this topic after I’ve had some time to think it over.” This approach allows both of us some space to process, ensuring I can provide the best research, information, and options later on. This perspective really developed during my internship experience.
“My priority is ensuring clients receive the best support possible, even if that means referring them to a colleague who might be better suited to help. This humility—understanding my strengths and limitations—became clearer as my practicum progressed.”
Q: Can you describe anything that surprised you, or was different once you transitioned out of being an intern therapist?
LAUREN: Not really. I think what's kind of so interesting about it is like during the internship. We're doing it right. So what's so great about that is then when you're, like, moving into being an associate like you're just still doing, like, it's just it's seamless, right?
Q: How do you balance the expectations of your role as a therapist with your own self-care?
LAUREN: That’s a great question. Self-care is about finding balance, and it’s an ongoing process—there’s no final destination. I often ask myself, “Where am I now, and what do I need right now?” After finishing school, I needed time to relax and let my nervous system recover from being so busy. I spent a couple of weeks doing absolutely nothing, which was essential for me.
Eventually, I noticed a lingering feeling that I should be doing something, so I turned to nature. Going for walks or hikes, especially with my family, helps ground me and pulls me out of the house. When I’m at home, I often feel the pressure to be productive, so getting outside is key for me. Also, it’s important to honour your limits. When you feel overwhelmed, take that seriously and give yourself the space you need.
Q: Is there anything you miss about being a student?
LAUREN: Honestly, I love learning and will always be a student at heart. As for what I’d miss about school, I'm not sure—it’s hard to say. But we are lifelong learners. What I'm looking forward to is the time to really, like, savour and absorb and stick with learning and mull it over; talk to somebody about it. Whereas the pace of school didn't always allow for that.
RAMANN: I completely agree. Lauren, I loved talking with you this afternoon! You have such a great energy and presence online and in person, your clients are so lucky to work alongside you! Looking forward to continuing to work and learn alongside you! Thank you for all the support you also provide me, as one of the current intern therapists.
LAUREN: Oh, my pleasure. And you too. You're very kind and warm, and I think that your clients are very lucky to have you too.
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