I will always be grateful to them – Lucie Chalmel
As part of an ERASMUS+ program, I had the incredible opportunity to complete a three-month internship as a psychology intern at the Willingness Clinic.
My primary goal in enrolling in this program was to improve my English, but thanks to the trust the Willingness team placed in me by accepting me among them, I was able to do it in a setting that I am passionate about and that aligns perfectly with my professional aspirations. I improved my English while developing skills I will cherish throughout my career.
Being an intern at Willingness means learning what it truly means to work in mental health in all its aspects. It means discovering everything that is not taught in university. It means understanding what it takes to become a true professional. This immersive internship allowed me to explore how a business operates through tasks related to communication, marketing, client management, and maintenance.
Expanding my knowledge in various specialities
Of course, there were also many tasks more directly related to psychology. I had the opportunity to participate in research, both theoretical and practical. I wrote blogs and reports and attended supervision meetings, training sessions, and workshops. Thanks to this, I was able to expand my knowledge in various specialities, including health psychology, sex therapy, trauma, and workplace psychology. I also developed my understanding of different psychological approaches, such as CBT, DBT, EMDR, and Gestalt therapy.
I also had the chance to work with children. At Willingness, interns play an important role in supporting them. I participated in camps aimed at developing the psychological and personal skills of both neurotypical and neurodivergent children. I also did childminding, which allowed me to conduct long-term educational follow-ups and develop relational skills between professionals and clients.
Being an intern at Willingness also means witnessing the impact that psychology can have on a larger scale. It means leaving the experience feeling inspired and motivated to do the same. The Willingness team is highly committed to fighting the stigma surrounding mental health issues, promoting psychoeducation among the population, and integrating psychological knowledge into discussions aimed at improving national issues.
A meaningful and socially impactful adventure
When I started my internship with them, I was a student who was almost afraid of finding her place in the professional world. But thanks to their influence and guidance, I now feel full of determination, ambition, and strength to find my own path and turn my journey into a meaningful and socially impactful adventure. I now feel ready to take charge of my future and build a career that I will be proud of.
These three months at Willingness have allowed me to grow both professionally and personally. They have helped me gain confidence in myself and my abilities. And for that, I want to say a huge thank you to every member of the team. It is thanks to them that I have come this far—thanks to their knowledge, kindness, support, encouragement, and the warm welcome they gave me. Thanks to their ability to strike the right balance between guidance and autonomy and their way of making us feel like a real part of their team.
I will always be grateful to them.
Read more here if you are interested in joining our team!
