Introduction

As a Mental Health Counsellor at KLA Trust, I coordinate intern placements and mentorship programs. Our organization hosts students from prestigious institutions in Trichy and internationally. These internships are strategically designed to provide comprehensive professional development, hands-on experience, and cross-cultural competencies essential in the mental health field.

A Structured Learning Environment

At KLA Trust, we firmly believe that learning is a lifelong journey enriched through collaboration, cultural exchange, and compassionate care. From March to April 2025, we had the privilege of hosting Dauw Debruyne, a 22-year-old student from Brussels, Belgium, currently pursuing her degree in Family Studies. Her selection of KLA Trust for her international internship demonstrates our organization’s growing reputation as a center for excellence in mental health practice and education.

Comprehensive Professional Development Opportunities

As Dauw’s designated supervisor and mentor, I implemented a structured learning program that balanced observation with active participation. This approach provided her with:

1. Professional Observation: Dauw participated in daily therapeutic sessions conducted by our diverse team of qualified counselors, gaining exposure to multiple treatment approaches and methodologies.
2. Cross-Cultural Communication Skills: When language barriers arose, I provided translation support and cultural context, equipping her with essential skills for international practice. This intentional focus on cross-cultural communication enhanced her ability to connect meaningfully with both colleagues and patients from different backgrounds.
3. Supervised Practice: With appropriate guidance, Dauw progressed to designing and implementing her own therapeutic sessions and group activities, allowing her to apply theoretical knowledge in a real-world setting under professional supervision.
4. Creative Therapeutic Interventions: We encouraged Dauw to incorporate her artistic talents into therapeutic interventions. This resulted in two significant projects:
   • “The Tree of Dreams” – An interactive wall installation that invites patients to articulate and visualize their aspirations as part of their therapeutic journey
   • A “Love Yourself” artwork featuring a self-embracing figure within a heart – a powerful visual tool for promoting self-compassion and emotional healing
5. Specialized Care Experience: Our weekly visits to the KLA Trust elderly care facility provided Dauw with specialized training in geriatric mental health care, an increasingly important field given global aging demographics.

Professional Integration and Knowledge Exchange

Dauw’s integration into our professional environment was exemplary. She demonstrated:

• Exceptional professional conduct and interpersonal skills across all levels of our organization
• Strong time management capabilities essential for clinical practice
• The ability to adapt to different therapeutic environments and patient needs
• Initiative in seeking out learning opportunities and professional discussions

Our collaborative discussions on comparative mental health practices between European and Indian contexts created valuable knowledge exchange opportunities for our entire clinical team, enhancing our global perspective on mental health care.

Impact and Professional Growth

Dauw’s contributions transcended typical internship expectations. Her projects remain as permanent therapeutic tools within our facility, demonstrating the lasting impact a well-structured internship program can have on both the host organization and the intern’s professional development. The internship facilitated remarkable growth in Dauw’s professional capabilities, particularly in:

• Adapting theoretical knowledge to diverse cultural contexts
• Developing therapeutic communication across language barriers
• Creating innovative therapeutic interventions
• Building professional relationships in international settings
• Understanding the universal aspects of mental health care while respecting cultural nuances

Conclusion

KLA Trust’s commitment to providing meaningful internship experiences goes beyond basic exposure  to the field. We create structured opportunities for genuine professional growth, creative contribution, and cross-cultural competency development. Dauw’s experience illustrates how our organization transforms international internships into transformative professional journeys. The knowledge, skills, and perspectives gained during her time with us will undoubtedly serve as foundational elements in her future professional endeavors.
We wish her continued success and are confident that the professional competencies she developed at KLA Trust will significantly enhance her career trajectory in the mental health field.

Haseena M
Mental Health Counsellor
KLA Trust