A Teaching Clinic You Can Grow In
We accept 2–4 students per year and provide a supportive, structured, and collaborative environment to help you grow into a confident and competent clinician.
Our practicum placements are designed for students who are passionate about trauma-informed care, interested in deepening their therapeutic skills, and ready to work with a diverse caseload that includes both virtual and in-person sessions.
We value curiosity, integrity, self-reflection, and a willingness to engage in the sometimes messy, always meaningful process of becoming a therapist.
What We Offer
- One-on-one weekly clinical supervision with experienced Registered Psychotherapists
and Social Workers - Monthly team supervision sessions for peer support, shared learning, and consultation
- A mix of virtual and in-office sessions (our clinic is located in Burlington, Ontario)
- The opportunity to work with teen and adult clients experiencing anxiety, grief, life
transitions, identity work, stress, and relational challenges - Training in intake and documentation systems, using secure, digital platforms
- A trauma-informed, attachment-focused, and insight-oriented clinical model
- Exposure to ACT, EMDR, and mindfulness-based interventions
- A warm, professional, and collaborative team environment
We’re A Good Fit For Students Who :
- Are completing a master’s-level program in counselling, psychotherapy, or social work
- Have foundational training in clinical skills, ethics, and at least one theoretical orientation
- Are available for weekly supervision and monthly team meetings
- Can travel to our Burlington office for in-person client work and team events
- Are available to see clients on at least one evening per week and/or on a weekend
morning or afternoon - Are committed to personal and professional growth through reflection, feedback, and
clinical supervision - Have a confidential space and stable internet for virtual sessions
If you’re thoughtful, engaged, and ready to grow in a nurturing clinical setting—we’d love to
hear from you.
Already have a Practicum Placement but Looking for a Clinical Supervisor?
If your practicum site does not offer clinical supervision, we can help. At Private Matters Psychotherapy, we offer individual and dyadic clinical supervision for practicum students who need to meet their program’s supervision requirements. Supervision is trauma-informed, structured, and supportive, with a focus on helping you build confidence, clinical skill, and ethical awareness. Sessions are held virtually or in person, and a supervision fee applies.
Interested in Applying?
We’re always excited to meet thoughtful, curious, and compassionate student therapists who are ready to dive into meaningful work. If you’re interested in completing your practicum at Private Matters Psychotherapy, we’d love to learn more about you, your training, your goals, and what you’re hoping for in a placement.
Submit Your Interest
Click the button and complete our short contact form. It lets us know you’re interested in a student placement at PMPTherapy.
We'll Be in Touch
If we’re onboarding students and your inquiry is a good fit, we’ll send you a link to our full Student Placement Inquiry Form. This form asks about your goals, experience, and includes a spot to upload your resume and cover letter.
Know the Timeline
We typically onboard students in September and January. Please apply at least 3 months in advance to be considered for an upcoming placement cycle.
We Review & Reach Out
If we feel your placement goals align with what we offer, and we have space, someone from our leadership team will reach out to schedule a call.
A Note on Capacity
We’re a small, relational team, and we can’t accept every applicant, even those who are highly qualified. If we aren’t able to move forward, please know it’s about capacity, not your potential.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I complete my placement virtually?
A: While we do offer virtual sessions, all practicum students must be available for some in-person work in our Burlington office. This helps you gain valuable face-to-face experience and participate more fully in the clinic environment.
Q: How many clients will I see per week?
A: Our students work towards seeing 12-15 clients per week. We start slowly to help you gain confidence and build up your therapeutic skills.
Q: Do you offer training in specific modalities?
A: You’ll be exposed to ACT, mindfulness-based approaches, and trauma-informed practice throughout your placement. While we don’t offer formal certification during practicum, students often observe and discuss techniques used in EMDR, couples therapy, and insight-oriented work.
Q: Is this a paid placement?
A: No, our practicum placements are unpaid. However, we provide extensive training, supervision, and experience that many students find deeply rewarding and career-shaping.
Q: Will I be able to continue working at Private Matters after my placement?
A: We often consider high-performing practicum students for future associate roles. While a permanent position is not guaranteed, several of our current team members began as students with us.