Externships at the Forge Training Institute
At the Training Institute at Forge, we seek motivated, skilled, and hardworking licensure candidates to join our dynamic teams in Commerce City and Colorado Springs. Becoming an extern with us is more than a step toward licensure—it’s an opportunity to immerse yourself in a collaborative community dedicated to growth, excellence, and shared success.
The Training Institute is guided by PhD-level leaders who help ensure high-quality training and thoughtful mentorship. We are committed to creating an environment where you can thrive personally and professionally. We look forward to supporting your journey toward becoming a skilled and compassionate clinician.
Forge Training Institute by the Numbers
2013 : The year Forge was founded
2018 : The year Forge Training Institute opened
99 : Years of combined clinical experience on staff
3 : PhD trained supervisors
49 : Years of combined PhD level supervision
About Externships
An externship at Forge is a post-graduate, provisionally licensed clinical position designed to help new clinicians transition from academic training into real-world, full-capacity practice. Externs carry a standard caseload of approximately 20 clients per week, receive advanced supervision, and continue refining clinical decision-making, documentation proficiency, and therapeutic identity while working toward LPC, MFTC, or LCSW licensure.
At the Training Institute at Forge, we seek motivated, skilled, and hardworking licensure candidates to join our dynamic teams in Commerce City and Colorado Springs. Becoming an extern with us is more than a step toward licensure—it's professional immersion in a collaborative, feedback-driven environment built on excellence, integrity, and growth. Our PhD-level leadership team supports externs through quality supervision, weekly consultation, and ongoing skill development to ensure competence and confidence in client care.
We offer externships because we believe new clinicians deserve a supportive bridge—not just supervision hours. Our goal is to equip emerging professionals with depth, resilience, clinical clarity, and the ability to serve clients well from day one of full licensure. We look forward to partnering with you as you grow into a grounded, capable, and compassionate clinician.
What Externs Recieve
At Forge Counseling Collective, we value your dedication and strive to support your professional growth and well-being. Below is an overview of the competitive pay, benefits, and opportunities you can expect when joining our team as an extern. In addition to an income allocation percentage, Externs at Forge are provided the following benefits:
401(k) with Matching: Available after your first 6 months, offered through Guideline.
Wellness Stipend: $500 annual wellness stipend to support your health and well-being.
Continuing Education Support: $500 annual continuing education stipend to advance your skills and knowledge.
Supervision: Weekly individual supervision with a licensed, full-time Forge team member, with hours counting toward licensure.
Flexible Scheduling: Enjoy a blend of in-office and remote work options for a balanced schedule.
Growth Opportunities: Potential to grow into future roles, including full-time licensed clinician positions.
Beautiful Office Space: Work in a warm, inviting environment designed for comfort and productivity.
Professional Development
We empower our externs to contribute to our vibrant community by providing professional development opportunities including:
Leading new training initiatives
Streamlining systems and processes
Creating and facilitating therapy groups
Assisting with administrative tasks
Mentoring future counselors and externs
Training and Mentorships
Learn from industry leaders to achieve your clinical goals
Join a supportive team that fosters growth and innovation
Access mentorship opportunities through our Training Institute
Twice-monthly team meetings and group supervision
Opportunities for interdisciplinary consultation and in-house trainings
Mentorship to prepare for clinical supervision roles
“Forge has been an excellent site for my externship because I get a great balance of supervision and autonomy. I’m supported with everything I could need, while the supervisors trust me to manage my own caseload and schedule. Forge offers consistent, high-quality supervision, including from PhD-trained supervisors—something not many counseling sites provide. Best of all, Forge makes me feel important, accepted, and cared for, while encouraging me to be my most authentic self.”
Current Masters Level Intern
Frequently Asked Questions
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A Licensure Candidate: Excited to work with diverse presenting problems, ages, payor sources, and identities.
A Self-Aware Professional: Possesses strong self-awareness, clear communication skills, and a genuine passion for growth—both personally and alongside their clients.
A Grounded and Passionate Team Member: Values humor, trust, hard work, and flexibility while embracing the growth opportunities that come with taking risks.
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We are a team and family! Counselor development is also about the development of the self, and we nourish both. There are several opportunities for continued development outside of the therapy chair. There is a lot more to private practice than just seeing clients, and that is reflected in your training.
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A structured post-graduate training position for pre-licensed clinicians working toward LPC, LMFT, or LCSW licensure. Externs hold a full clinical caseload and receive advanced supervision and mentorship as they build competence and professional identity.
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Externs carry a standard caseload of approximately 20 clients per week, with the option to take on more based on interest and financial need.
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Yes. Externs receive weekly supervision (individual, dyadic, and group), case consultation, and ongoing mentorship from experienced clinicians and clinical leaders.
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Yes — externs are W-2 employees and are compensated for sessions provided.
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Externs may work with children, teens, adults, couples, and families. Specialty populations—such as trauma, play therapy, or relationship work—depend on training, readiness, and supervision approval.
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Externs participate in trainings, case consultations, supervision, observation/shadowing opportunities, and specialty learning pathways (play therapy, couples and family therapy, trauma work, DBT skills, etc.).
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Yes. All clinical, supervision, and documentation-related hours qualify toward LPC, LMFT, or LCSW licensure requirements.
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Yes — many externs continue at Forge and transition into fully licensed roles (LPC, LMFT, or LCSW) when positions are available.
Apply for Externship Today!
If you have any questions regarding internships, email Kendra our internship coordinator at kendra.todd@forge-cc.com.
Externship Application (Internal Candidate)
Externship Application (External Candidate)