Preparing Counselors-in-Training for Multidisciplinary Collaboration: Lessons Learned From a Pilot Program

Within clinical mental health and healthcare settings, collaboration among Professional Counselors and helping professionals from other disciplines is often necessary. Yet, misperceptions about training backgrounds, professional practices and roles can impact working relationships. This article will examine relevant research on the topic of multidisciplinary collaboration, highlighting some of the associated challenges and benefits. It will outline the authors’ formation and implementation of a multidisciplinary professional development group for interns at a community agency, and it will address some of the difficulties encountered in the experience. The authors will then provide reflections and suggestions for future planning based on the experience.