St. David's Center Intern Spotlight: Bethany

Internships at St. David’s Center offer an incredibly supportive, inclusive, high-quality environment for undergraduate and graduate students to gain direct clinical experience. Our team members and supervisors bring decades of experience in uniquely comprehensive, interdisciplinary children’s mental health guiding our interns on their path to significant career growth. We believe that care-based relationships are essential, whether between children and caregivers, between clinicians, or between interns and supervisors. Plus, many of our interns make St. David’s Center their professional home after graduation. That was the case for Bethany Presley who spoke with us about what made St. David’s Center stand apart, and why she decided to stay.     

Q: As you were comparing your options for your clinical internship, what made you choose St. David's Center?  

When I was looking at my options for my clinical internships for my Master of Social Work program, I knew I wanted to work with children experiencing mental health challenges. St. David’s Center serves many children and families who have faced Adverse Childhood Experiences, as well as facing poverty, racism, and other kinds of exclusion. I wanted to increase my knowledge and experience in supporting these members of our communities, and this agency is the perfect place to do so. 

Q: Can you say a bit more about how you have experienced and worked around issues of racial equity at St. David's Center?  

St. Davids's Center builds self-awareness and self-reflection around identity to help us as clinicians build and demonstrate cross-cultural literacy and sensitivity. Self-awareness is important when working with diverse communities, especially when clients’ backgrounds are different from those of clinicians. As a white clinician, being aware of how race and ethnicity impacts relationships is crucial to be able to serve and support thoughtfully and effectively. 

Q: You've spoken to some of my next question already, but can you say a bit more about what makes St. David's Center unique in your view, as a young professional just entering the field?  

 I have valued St. David’s Center as they offer the flexibility to have a lot of self-direction in your internship. They prefer you to be present for 16 hours a week, which creates great balance alongside the work experience. They listen to what you want to get out of your internship and the criteria you need to meet. All around, it was a very fulfilling experience.  

Q: My final question is how has your internship at St. David's Center shaped your plans for the next step in your career, or for your career as a whole?  

I have thoroughly enjoyed my experience at St. David’s Center. They offer a supportive environment to grow as a professional. As well as a great number of resources and opportunities to increase your knowledge on different topics to apply to the field. That’s why I’ve decided to stay!  

Since the completion of her internship, Bethany has taken on a new, full-time role as a Pre-Licensed Therapist in St. David’s Center’s Minnetonka Center in our Autism Day Treatment Program. We are honored that Bethany has chosen to continue advancing her career here at St. David’s Center! Looking for a clinical internship?  

Connect with us to learn about current and upcoming opportunities!