This article was written by Abiha Fatima, a 6th-semester B.S. Psychology student at Bahria University, who joined the Internship in Neurodevelopmental Evaluations & Interventions at the IQ Institute of Neuropsychiatry in August 2025. In this piece, she reflects on how patience, silence, and adaptability shaped her learning, and how client exposure under supervision helped her translate classroom knowledge into real-life practice.
I joined the Clinical Psychology Internship in Neurodevelopmental Care at the IQ Institute of Neuropsychiatry because I wanted to take what I had learned in my lectures and apply it in real-life situations. My aim was to gain hands-on experience, understand how to work with clients from different age groups and with different disorders, and learn how therapeutic techniques are put into practice under supervision. I was also excited to exchange ideas with other interns, since hearing different perspectives often provides new ways of approaching clients.
From the very first week, I experienced how approachable and supportive our supervisor was. She encouraged us to ask questions freely and never treated our doubts as a burden. She introduced us to how classroom concepts translate into clinical practice and shared important background details about our assigned clients. At times, we were even given the chance to work with different clients, which broadened our exposure and gave us a better understanding of the diversity of cases seen at IQ.
One of the most valuable aspects of the internship was direct client exposure. During the first week, interns were paired together with a client – one would lead an activity while the other observed. Watching my peers reminded me that there is no single way to engage with clients; different approaches can be equally effective depending on the situation. In another week, I had the opportunity to observe sessions directly conducted by our supervisor, followed by interactive group reflections. These discussions made the learning process engaging and helped us refine our understanding of therapeutic practice.
A particularly memorable experience was with a client who had seizures along with symptoms of schizophrenia. While using flashcards, I asked him to name what he saw. After a few attempts, he became irritated and said, “Mujhe nahi parhna hai (I don’t want to study).” At first, I tried to encourage him to identify just one more card, but I noticed his frustration growing. I then decided to place the card in front of him without saying anything further. After a short pause, he looked at it and calmly said, “Bicycle.” That moment taught me the value of silence and patience. Sometimes giving clients space leads to better outcomes than constantly prompting.
In another session with the same client, while we were playing Connect 4, he suddenly stood up and said, “Main maarunga tumhy (I’ll hit you).” For a moment, I felt scared and unsure how to respond. But I quickly realized how important it is to remain calm and composed in such unpredictable moments. This experience showed me that being a therapist requires not only professional knowledge, but also emotional resilience and presence of mind.
These experiences shaped my main takeaways from the internship. I learned the importance of patience, adaptability, and reflection in therapeutic work. Observing others, whether peers or supervisors, was as valuable as conducting sessions myself. I came to understand that therapy is not just about applying techniques, but about connecting with clients in ways that make them feel respected and heard.
My advice for future interns is simple: come with patience. Clients may not always respond immediately or in the way you expect. Also, don’t stop yourself from asking questions, just ask. The more questions you ask, the clearer things will become, and that clarity will help you grow.
Overall, this internship at IQ Institute of Neuropsychiatry was both overwhelming and rewarding. While it does not give the complete picture of professional life, it provides real clinical exposure and invaluable lessons that prepare you for the journey ahead. The insights I gained here will stay with me as I continue to grow in the field of psychology, and I look forward to being part of more opportunities like this in the future.
