Interns

One of Pinnacle Counseling’s core values is being a teaching practice. We strive to help our therapists continue to develop their skills as professionals to provide the most effective therapeutic support possible. Our intern program exhibits that value and reflects our commitment to learning and growth.

Background

We recognize that many people might feel some level of concern about working with an intern—with the assumption that they have less experience than a licensed therapist. Our goal is to be as transparent as possible with the level of support and supervision each intern receives.

All of our interns benefit from a robust and multifaceted supervision experience. They receive weekly one-on-one supervision from an AAMFT-approved supervisor, weekly group supervision with our program director, and periodic consultation groups led by specialists in areas such as substance abuse, sex therapy, and other specific psychological topics. Additionally, interns receive ongoing supervision through their academic institutions. This diverse and comprehensive approach to supervision provides interns with opportunities to refine their theoretical approaches, enhance their case conceptualization skills, and explore their clients’ needs in greater depth—offering a richer experience than what is typically available to staff members.

Since intern therapists are in the process of completing their training, they are highly motivated to provide the best care possible. They are often more willing to explore new or alternative treatment approaches and techniques, which can be particularly beneficial for individuals who have not had success with traditional therapy methods or who are looking for a more innovative or holistic approach to treatment.

It's important to note that while intern therapists are in the process of training, they are still held to the same ethical standards as licensed therapists, and they work under the supervision of licensed therapists to ensure safety and the best outcomes for clients.

All Pinnacle interns are in-network with BCBS PPO. For other insurance plans or for self-pay clients, interns operate on an income-based sliding-scale payment structure.

Clinical Work

Questions or Concerns?

If you have any question or concerns about working with an intern, please feel free to reach out to our Programs Director, Trisha Dwyer (tricia@pinnaclecounselingchicago.com).

  • A young man with short curly hair and a beard, smiling, sitting on a beige couch in a living room with colorful artwork on the wall behind him.

    Jordan Abosch

    Jordan is a clinical intern working under the supervision of Tricia Dwyer, LCPC. He works with individuals, couples, and families on relationship issues, sexual challenges, identity exploration, life transitions, anxiety, OCD, depression, career challenges, men’s issues, and existential questions.

    Drawing from Emotionally Focused Therapy, Existential Therapy, and Person-Centered Therapy, Jordan helps clients understand and shift the emotional patterns that shape their relationships. He is passionate about supporting individuals and partners in creating secure attachments and finding meaning and connection in a world that can feel uncertain and overwhelming.

    Jordan is sex-positive and affirming of LGBTQIA+ identities, and welcomes clients from polyamorous/ethically non-monogamous and kink/BDSM communities. He creates a warm, collaborative environment where clients feel supported yet thoughtfully challenged. Blending creativity, humor, and mindfulness, he encourages both insight and practical strategies for change.

    Jordan earned his B.A. in Philosophy from Tufts University and is pursuing his M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Antioch University New England. He is also working toward certification in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT). Before entering the mental health field, Jordan worked in data analytics and consulting for large corporations, which gave him insight into the challenges of corporate life. Having navigated his own career change, he values helping clients build lives that feel authentic, purposeful, and aligned with their values.

  • Susan Clausen

    Susan is a Marriage and Family Therapy intern working under the supervision of licensed clinicians at Pinnacle Counseling. She works with individuals, couples, and families, with a particular interest in supporting couples seeking relational support, families navigating transitions such as blending families, teens working through developmental challenges, and new parents adjusting to the emotional and relational shifts that come with parenthood.

    Susan approaches therapy from a systemic and relational lens, grounded in the belief that people are best understood within the context of their relationships, family systems, and broader social environments. She is actively learning attachment-focused and expressive approaches, including Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and art-based interventions, and continues to explore how different therapeutic frameworks can support clients’ growth and understanding.

    In the therapy room, Susan offers a warm, thoughtful, and collaborative presence. She values creating a space that feels respectful, inclusive, and grounded, where clients can show up as they are and move at their own pace. Susan is committed to meeting clients with curiosity and care, and to honoring the diverse identities, values, and lived experiences they bring into the room.

    Susan is currently pursuing her Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy at Northwestern University. Her background in the arts has shaped her appreciation for creativity, storytelling, and multiple ways of knowing, which continue to inform her developing clinical work. Prior to entering the mental health field, Susan worked across creative and entrepreneurial settings, experiences that deepened her interest in identity, life transitions, and relational dynamics across the lifespan.