Psychology Internships in Valencia
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.
Internship Highlights:
- Develop your experience in a psychological department that interests you
- Experience a wide range of real life therapy sessions, diagnoses and treatments
- Enjoy traveling and living in Valencia, with easy access to wider Spain and the Mediterranean
Type of host organizations:
- Private practices
- Non-profit organizations
- Social services
- Healthcare centres
- Psychology clinics
- Sports organizations
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
- …and much more.
Interns seeking experience in a particular psychological field should include details in your application. Requests for specific placements can be accommodated, subject to availability.
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. 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 to a certain extent. Interns should be prepared for the very natural and normal frustration of not always understanding what is being said around them. Come prepared and willing to surmount a language barrier (and ask for help when needed), as opposed to being intimidated by it. Bear in mind that internships in Spain include five introductory Spanish language lessons, which are provided during the orientation period. 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).
Valencia is a popular tourist city on Spain’s south-eastern Mediterranean Coast. It’s well known for its historic old town and relaxed way of life. In recent years, Valencia has established itself as a fantastic hub for culture and enterprise. While the city is broadly celebrated for its modern City of Arts and Sciences Museum, it’s an equally desirable destination if you love the outdoors, excellent cuisine and fantastic weather!
Typical Schedule
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Monday to Friday, approximately 9am to 7pm (some placements may observe a longer “siesta” break over the mid afternoon lunch period).
Career Benefits
Psychology interns learn from a qualified and experienced supervisor, and can be involved in:
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Therapy observation
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Reporting on consultations, diagnoses and treatment plans
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Contributing to new and ongoing research projects
Professional development opportunities:
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Understand patient relationship building
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Experience real life therapy sessions and how they are run
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Experience how therapists make diagnoses based on specific patient issues
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Build report writing skills based on your observations of therapy sessions
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Learn from practicing psychologists in real life situations
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Practice and hone Spanish language skills
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Gain practical skills and boost your employability, with guidance from Intern Abroad HQ’s Experiential Learning Curriculum to support your learning and cultural intelligence.
Spain photo gallery
”My internship experience has been great in showing me new ways and activities for emotional regulation in children. I worked with kids aged 4-17 with a variety of behavioural issues and mental health illnesses. This experience allowed me to gain skills in emotional regulation, psychological interviewing and intervention. In the future I plan on studying for my Masters in Forensic Psychology. I feel more empowered to enter my field because this internship taught me a lot.”
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Academic credit available for all internships
Gain course credit from your college or university and meet your academic requirements when completing an internship abroad or remote internship program with Intern Abroad HQ.
Learn about course creditProgram fees
It’s free to apply for this internship. Once we have reviewed your suitability and accepted you onto this program, you’ll need to pay a deposit of US$449 to confirm your place. The remaining balance of your Program Fee (less your initial US$449 deposit payment) will be due no less than 60 days before your internship start date.
Duration |
Program Fee (USD) |
|---|---|
| 2 weeks | $2,350Equivalent to $167/day |
| 3 weeks | $2,613Equivalent to $124/day |
| 4 weeks | $2,925Equivalent to $104/day |
| 5 weeks | $3,188Equivalent to $91/day |
| 6 weeks | $3,476Equivalent to $82/day |
| 8 weeks | $4,001Equivalent to $71/day |
| 10 weeks | $4,582Equivalent to $65/day |
| 12 weeks | $5,107Equivalent to $60/day |
| 16 weeks | $6,268Equivalent to $55/day |
| 20 weeks | $7,319Equivalent to $52/day |
| 24 weeks | $8,369Equivalent to $49/day |
- Accommodation
- Meals
- 24/7 in-country support
- Airport pick-up
- Program orientation
- Dedicated support before, during, and after your internship
- In-country guidance for social and tourist activities
- Sourcing and securing your internship placement
- Personalization of your internship plan
- Coaching from your supervisor
- Documented portfolio of your experiential learnings
- Academic credit facilitation
- International reference letter
- Certificate of Internship Completion
- Visa (if required), flights, travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, criminal background check
- Transfer back to the airport at the end of your internship program
- Optional extras, such as language lessons
- Souvenirs and leisure activities during your free time
- Personal spending money to cover basic expenses such as drinks, snacks, laundry, public transportation, and any meals not included in your Program Fee
- A deposit of $449 USD is required to secure your internship
- European students who wish to receive Erasmus funding for their internship in Spain are encouraged to apply and outline their specific requirements.
- Balance of your Program Fee is due 60 days before your internship start date.
- All payments attract a 5% transaction fee to cover international banking fees and currency charges.
- Terms and Conditions apply.
Arrival and Orientation
Internships in Spain begin every Monday. Exceptions may be made to this when start dates are shifted to avoid public holiday disruptions or closed when the program has already reached capacity. The minimum duration requirement is 2 weeks up to a maximum duration of 24 weeks.
Airport pick up and accommodation are included in the Program Fee. The accommodation is covered from the Sunday night before the Monday start date - interns are required to arrive no later than the Sunday before their Monday start date, as all orientations are held on Mondays. If arriving earlier than this date, interns will be required to cover the cost of an out of hours airport pick up.
The typical port of entry is the Valencia Airport (VLC). If you are planning to spend time independently in Spain prior to your internship and will not require an airport pick up, we can discuss alternative arrival logistics with you.
Upon arrival, interns will be met, greeted, and transferred to the accommodation. The last night of the accommodation is the Saturday night of the final week, leaving interns free to depart on Sunday. Extra nights of accommodation can be arranged in advance, if requested, and are subject to availability.
Orientation covers important details for your internship, including introductions, information about culture, customs, rules, expectations, safety, language lessons, cultural excursions, and more. Your specific internship placement orientation will follow the general orientation, as you’ll be shown how to travel to and from your internship and be introduced to the team you’ll be joining.
The Orientation also includes five introductory Spanish language lessons which are provided as a way of boosting confidence and assisting with social and cultural integration. Any additional Spanish language lessons must be coordinated and paid for separately.
Please note that all participants are advised not to book flights until they have first registered to confirm their internship placement.
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Accommodation and WiFi
All interns in Spain are hosted in various homestay accommodations (which are typically located within apartment buildings). These are usually situated around the city centre, where it is easy to access both the central office of the local team (where Spanish language lessons also take place) and the designated internship placement.
In most cases, interns will receive their own bedroom. However, some bedrooms may be shared with another program participant of the same gender. Any given homestay may accommodate up to 2 to 3 interns at any given time. Bathrooms and common areas are shared. Living is comfortable and WiFi is provided in most of the home-stays, although it is not guaranteed. Laundry is included - usually it will be done once a week.
If a commute is required (to either the internship placement or the central office) then the travel time is usually between 30 to 40 minutes, maximum. There are ample public transportation options to utilize (including mobile phone apps, which can be downloaded at the program orientation) such as buses, subway, trams, and taxis. The city is flat and the climate is typically very pleasant, so public bicycles are also available. Interns may also opt to simply walk during the daytime and enjoy the sights of the city!
Please note that the accommodation pictured in the photo gallery of this webpage is provided as an example. Since we work with more than one apartment, the exact accommodation that you’re assigned may differ from the photos. Rooms sizes vary.
Meals
Internships in Spain include three meals per day provided by the host family (daily breakfast, lunch and dinner). Do not be surprised if you’re not joined in a hearty breakfast by your host family, as locals do not typically have a heavy breakfast (coffee may suffice!) However, interns can expect breakfast to consist of items such as bread/pastries, spreads, fruit, and coffee (you may even try a delicious local espresso, served with condensed milk to sweeten it).
Lunch time in Valencia is typically between 2 and 4 pm. This time is in line with the concept of “la siesta”, allowing time to rest and enjoy a relaxed mealtime - preferably with some pleasant company and conversation.
If you choose to opt out of lunch or dinner, any day of the week, you should communicate this back to your host family. There are many excellent restaurants to choose from in Valencia and they typically offer special lunch menus in the afternoon, which are designed to provide an affordable set meal option (they could range anywhere between €5.00 and €12.00). One of the most famous dishes in Valencia is paella - a must try!
Dinner time in Spain is typically served later in the evening, usually between 8 pm-10 pm, due to eating a late lunch. Typical dishes may include ingredients such as noodles or pasta, seafood, rice, and in-season salads/vegetables.
Please be sure to let us know of any specific dietary requirements that you have in advance (i.e. allergies and intolerances), so that we may ensure your hosts are aware and make recommendations to you accordingly.
Spanish lessons
Fluency in Spanish is not a requirement for interns in Valencia, however basic Spanish skills are strongly recommended. The Orientation includes five introductory Spanish language lessons which are provided in order to boost confidence and assist with social and cultural integration. However, 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).
Affordable Spanish language lessons are offered directly through our local team in Valencia. Most lessons are two hours and can be arranged in coordination with the internship schedule. Spanish lessons can be arranged directly with the local team once registered for the program or at the orientation in-country (ask about online Skype lessons if you’d like to get a head start on your learning). Lessons are tailored to the student’s level based on their entry-level test, placing them on the most suitable course for them, within a timetable of Monday to Friday.
Lessons for 4 hours per week:
- 1-4 weeks = €36 per week
- 5-8 weeks = €28 per week
- 8+ weeks = €22 per week
Lessons for 6 hours per week:
- 1-4 weeks = €51 per week
- 5-8 weeks = €39 per week
- 8+ weeks = €33 per week
Lessons for 10 hours per week:
- 1 week = €80 per week
- 2-3 weeks = €70 per week
- 3+ weeks = €55 per week
Lessons for 20 hours per week:
- 1 week = €140 per week
- 2-3 weeks = €120 per week
- 4-6 weeks = €90 per week
- 6+ weeks = €80 per week
Weekends and travel
Most internship placements in Valencia have a morning schedule and require a commitment of between 25-30 hours per week, Monday through Friday. Interns have the weekends free and there is no shortage of wonderful things to see and do in Valencia! Cultural activities, excursions and weekend trips are frequently organized by our local team in Valencia, who will communicate to interns in-country when fun plans are being made. Interns staying for longer durations, or who wish to travel before or after their internship program, can visit other regions of Spain (or even Europe). The local team will be happy to make travel and tourism recommendations. However, while you’re in Valencia, these are just a few examples of the attractions you won’t want to miss:
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City of Arts and Sciences / Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias: This state-of-the-art science, cultural and architectural complex is the most important modern tourist destination in the city of Valencia and counts as one of the “12 Treasures of Spain”. It encompasses the Museu de les Ciències Príncipe Felipe and Hemisfèric (for IMAX, 3D and other screenings).
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L’Oceanogràfic: L’Oceanogràfic is an impressive aquarium, designed by the architect Félix Candela and the structural engineers Alberto Domingo and Carlos Lázaro. You’ll see 500 species in versions of the world’s main marine ecosystems.
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Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia: If you love arts and theater, don’t miss an event at Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia - Valencia’s beautiful performing arts and cultural centre.
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Mercado Central, Valencia: Strolling through this indoor public market will inundate you with colorful sights and interesting produce. It’s located in the city center across from the Llotja de la Seda (a Gothic-style civil building) and the church of the Juanes.
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Plaza de la Virgen: This lively plaza is central to Valencia, where it is surrounded by iconic historic buildings and outdoor cafes. You’ll see the Apostle Doors of the Valencia Cathedral, the Miguelete tower, and Neptune relaxing in la Fuente del Turia. From the plaza, you can also enter the Barrio del Carmen at Calle Caballeros - this is a trendy part of the medieval Valencia Old Town, from where you can also check out the Gothic-style Torres de Serranos, part of the old city walls, which mark the entrance to the Old Quarter of Valencia.
Essential country information
| Capital | Madrid |
| Population | 46.5 million |
| Languages | Spanish (official), Catalan, Galician, Basque, Occitan (co-official languages) |
| Currency | Spainn Rand (ZAR) |
| Time zone | UTC+01:00 |
Weather and climate:
Spain has a very varied climate, according to the geographical situation of different regions. Most of the country is considered to be within a Mediterranean zone, which is characterised by warm/hot and dry summers. However, areas with relatively high rainfall are considered to be oceanic climatic regions, rather than Mediterranean. The northern quarter of Spain, which is within the Atlantic region, falls within this oceanic climate category, where winter and summer temperatures are influenced by the ocean. The southeastern quarter of Spain has a semi-arid climate, where the dry season can extend beyond the typical summer season.
In Valencia, where the Intern Abroad HQ internship program is based, it is dry year round. The summers are warm, muggy, and mostly clear. The hot summer season runs from June through September, with an average daily high temperature above 81°F (27°C). The winter months, from November through March, are cold, windy, and partly cloudy. During this time, the average daily high temperature is below 65°F (18°C). The average low of the coldest day of the year (around early January) is 43°F (6°C).
