Psychology Internships: Intern abroad in Valencia, Spain

Internship details

Develop your skills as a psychologist by assisting in clinics in Valencia, observing and learning from real life consultations. Psychology internships offer practical work experience learning from experienced local therapists in private practices, non-profits, social services or healthcare centers.

This is an in-country internship with accommodation and meals included. Click here to view remote Psychology & Social Work internships which you can undertake from home.

Participating in a Psychology internship in Spain is a great way to develop your psychology experience and career. Interns play an observational role alongside trained local therapists, shadowing them in real life consultations and learning from actual therapy sessions. Placements are available across a range of environments, including private practices and clinics, healthcare centers, with non-profit organizations and social services. Interns with an interest in sports psychology can be placed with sporting organizations and even professional teams.

Interns complete independent reflections following observations, using experiential learning techniques to practice critical thinking and build their clinical understanding from an early stage. Psychology internship placements work across a wide range of psychological conditions and techniques, including:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
• Alzheimer’s treatment
• Psychoanalysis
• Systemic family therapy
• Body techniques
• Family and group therapy
• Speech therapy
• Research into treatment and psychological conditions
• Mediation and career development
• Psychiatric treatment
• Education
• The use of media and technology to support wellbeing

Interns seeking experience in a particular psychological field should include details in your application. While the specific nature of your internship will vary according to your level of experience, Spanish language proficiency, chosen duration and placement priorities, typical intern duties can include (but are not limited to):

• Treatment observation and subsequent reports and/or reflections (to discuss with your supervisor)
• Collaborating with professionals in regard to diagnosis and treatment planning, to learn about particular case studies, goals and outcomes
• Report writing (which may include self reflection of psychological observations, for review with your supervisor)
• Researching psychological topics which are relevant to the placement, their clients and their areas of need
• Translating documents for the clinic into English (for internal administration or other communicative needs of the placement)
• Providing general administrative support and customer service to clients

Psychology interns should always come prepared to cooperate with full flexibility and sensitivity, especially while seeking to enhance their cultural intelligence and reflection on approaches that may differ. Participation in or observation of consultations will always be at the discretion of the clients or individual you are collaborating with. The inclusion of an intern in any treatment with a patient will always be subject to the clients agreement and relevant confidentiality requirements of the clinic.

Spanish language proficiency is not a requirement to join. However, interns should expect that a language barrier can still be encountered. Patient consultations will often be in Spanish, so interns should be prepared for the very natural and normal frustration of not always understanding what is being said around them. Should a language barrier arise during an observational occasion, your supervisor will be able to provide you with a debrief afterwards, concerning the relevant information. Come prepared and willing to surmount a language barrier (and ask for help when needed), as opposed to being intimidated by it.

This internship includes five complimentary Spanish language lessons, which must be scheduled within the first two weeks of the internship. These should be considered mandatory for anyone who is not already a fluent Spanish speaker. Any additional Spanish language lessons must be coordinated and paid for separately. We encourage all interns to take advantage of the opportunity to learn some Spanish skills during their program (or develop their existing vocabulary).

In all cases, interns should expect that the first week of your experience will focus on settling in and gaining some introductory knowledge, as you will not “hit the ground running”. Rather, you should start with learning about the placement to gain an understanding of what you can build upon, develop, learn, and contribute. Ensure that you ask questions and provide feedback during the introductory period, so that your supervisor understands how you’re progressing. This will help them to better understand important details, such as how quickly you learn, what you find challenging, what you find interesting, etc.

Understand and expect that individual internship experiences vary, as the specific placement that you’re assigned will depend on review of your resume and your current level of studies and experience. Therefore, if you’re at a more introductory level, you should reasonably expect a more introductory internship. Likewise, if you’re interning for a shorter duration, you will have a different experience from someone who is interning for a longer duration. Placement preferences are considered but always subject to availability.

Typical Schedule

• Monday to Friday, up to 8 hours per day. Flexibility is a key requirement for this internship placement, as company activities vary. This means that there may be days which are very busy, as well as slower days if patient workload is lighter. Interns should be adaptable, proactive and willing to help where it’s needed.

What are the career benefits of interning abroad as a Psychology Intern?