The Intern Counseling Program
at CounselingWorks

Welcome to the Intern Counseling Program (ICP) at CounselingWorks. This program is designed for those who want mental health counseling services but:

•  Have no mental health insurance coverage; or

•  Have exhausted their mental health insurance coverage; or

•  Cannot afford insurance deductibles or co-pays; or

•  Cannot afford to pay standard private therapy fees.

Counseling services through the ICP are provided by a Registered Intern in one of the mental health-related disciplines. A Registered Intern is an individual who has completed the Master's Degree in a counseling-related field and is in a two-year period of apprenticeship being eligible to take the independent clinical licensing exam. All interns are closely supervised by Elizabeth Ruegg, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 20 years of counseling experience.

Who is eligible?

Registered Interns are qualified to work with children, adolescents, adults, individuals, couples, families and groups.

Ideal candidates for this program include people with mild to moderate depression, anxiety, adjustment problems and relationship conflicts.

What Does It Cost?

Fees for the Intern Counseling Program range from no fee to $25 per session, depending on your income and family size.

What types of counseling methods are used?

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

• Change-focused counseling

• Supportive therapy

• Play therapy

• Sandplay therapy

 Will I be seen immediately?

There may be a waiting list for services through the intern program. If you feel you need to be seen immediately and we cannot give you with an immediate appointment, we can provide you with contact information for other sources of low-cost care in the local area.

Can anyone receive services through the Intern Counseling Program?

Because Registered Interns are still learning the skill of psychotherapy, they are not equipped to treat complicated mental health problems.

As a result, individuals with chronic or complicated mental health issues are generally not eligible for services through the Intern Counseling Program.

 Specifically, the intern counselors are not qualified to treat:

 Sexual disorders
Complex trauma
Psychotic disorders
Dissociative disorders
Co-occurring disorders
Substance abuse disorders
Sexual abuse of children
Domestic violence situations
Severe emotional disturbance
Physically aggressive behavior
Suicidal or homicidal thoughts

 How do I apply for services through the Intern Counseling Program?

If you would like more information or would like to apply for services through this program, please contact Elizabeth Ruegg for a telephone screening interview at 727-967-3320.    

Our current ICP counselors are:  

Kathleen Capelle, MSW  

My name is Kathleen Capelle. I received my MSW from the University of Maryland . In addition to seeing clients at CounselingWorks, I am a hospice social worker.  

Before moving to Florida, I was a clinical social worker at Johns Hopkins Hospital Department of Psychiatry on a general inpatient unit. I also have experience in Employee Assistance Programs, working in a call center, assisting employees obtain counseling for personal or substance related issues.   

I particularly enjoy working with individuals with Type I diabetes, children, teens and adults.

Marie Dillinger-Vasile, MA

An age-old truism is that the only thing certain about life is its uncertainty. Things happen in life, sometimes naturally, such as getting older, and sometimes not, as in divorce. Often times we struggle to adjust to the changes that the event causes in our lives and we just get stuck. I most enjoy helping people get unstuck; my passion is successful transitioning.

I have experience working with adjustment issues, depression, grief and loss, caregiver stress, caregiver burn-out, generalized and social anxieties, and relationship issues related to community, couple, and family.

I am registered with the state of Florida as a mental health counselor intern working a two year residency with CounselingWorks. My Bachelor's degree is in Psychology and Gerontology and my Master's degree is in Mental Health Counseling.

Christine McNamara, MSW

I earned my Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Central Florida and a Masters of Social Work from the University of South Florida .  

I use a solution focused, cognitive based therapy approach that empowers individuals to identify personal goals while enhancing coping and problem solving skills in a supportive environment.

Marianne Pennisi, MSW

Greetings! I am Marianne Pennisi, a Registered Clinical Social Work Intern with CounselingWorks. This means that I have obtained a Master's degree in Social Work and am currently in a two year apprenticeship period to earn my license. I graduated cum laude (with honors) from the University of South Florida with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2001 and a Master of Social Work degree in 2006.  

I have worked in various agencies providing counseling services to children, adolescents and adults. Some of the issues I help people cope with include depression, anxiety, relationship concerns, caregiver stress, improving self esteem, and grief.

I believe counseling should be progressive and create movement in your life. I look forward to joining you on this spectacular journey.

Julie Wells, MSW  

Welcome! I am Julie Wells, a Registered Clinical Social Work Intern with over 12 years of Human Services experience. I graduated from the University of South Florida with my BSW in 1997 and my MSW in 2001. I have worked in a variety of agency settings with individuals, families and groups.

My counseling style is based on your individual needs and functioning. I include solution-focused counseling and cognitive therapy along with action methods, such as Psychodrama. Psychodrama encourages clients to raise their spontaneity and become empowered to find new solutions to old problems in an atmosphere of positive acceptance. I have over 700 hours of clinically supervised experience with Psychodrama training.

My goal is to begin my own private practice after completing my internships and obtaining my Licensed Clinical Social Work credential and my Certified Practitioner in Psychodrama Credential.