Supervised clinical experience is a requirement for licensure. Whether you are receiving supervision in a practicum or internship class, or as a registered intern after you graduate, here is what you should expect from your supervisor.
Some background on licensure requirements
On your journey toward licensure, there are two different types of supervision that are required. The first occurs during your field placement as a part of your graduate program. You will actually have two different supervisors during your field placement: one will be the faculty supervisor, who is also instructing your field placement class, and the other is the field supervisor, who is your day-to-day supervisor at your placement site. Generally, you have no choice in your faculty supervisor, and little choice in your field supervisor.
The other type of required supervision is post-graduate. If you choose to do this at an agency, you can generally receive free supervision, however you will have little or no choice in your supervisor. If you hire your own supervisor, then you can choose who you want.
What is a counseling supervisor? It is an experienced counselor who has completed training in counseling supervision. Requirements vary by state, but as an example the state of Florida requires 5 years of experience post-licensure, and a special training course.
In addition to providing consultation to new therapists, a counseling supervisor answers questions, and provides guidance and support. Because they are ultimately responsible for the well-being of their supervisee’s clients, many supervisors will require taped counseling sessions or detailed case notes to ensure the counselor is on the right track. Counseling supervisors help with case conceptualization, methods, or specific interventions by asking questions and/or making suggestions. They also provide support when things get tough. They help new counselors cope with counter-transference and heavy emotional issues that clients may present. As experienced professionals, they also help new counselors develop a professional identity.
What you should expect from your counseling supervisor:
- Support. Although your supervisor acts as an evaluator, he or she should still provide support and encouragement. Just like a good parent, they will gently correct you when you are wrong while providing a warm and emotionally safe environment. If they say things to you that make you doubt your own skills, or try to erode your confidence, then it’s time to find a new supervisor.
- Sessions are about YOU. The content of supervision sessions are all about you and your clients, it is never about the supervisor. If time is spent during the supervision session processing the supervisor’s feelings, anxieties, etc., then it’s time to find a new supervisor.
- A good knowledge base. Your post-graduate supervisor should be well-versed in not only the population but the type of therapy you are doing. Otherwise, that supervisor isn’t going to be able to help you help your clients. Worse, if they have an incompatible theoretical orientation they may actually cause harm! While you are still in graduate school, however, the expectations are different. Your faculty supervisor should still be knowledgeable, but because faculty supervisors work with a wide variety of placement sites, they cannot be experts in everything.
- A strong relationship with you. The relationship between you and your supervisor is an important one, for many of the same reasons that the therapeutic relationship is important to the client. If you feel uncomfortable around your supervisor, or find yourself having to monitor what you tell them, or some of their behavior puzzles you, then it might be time to find a new supervisor. Unless you are in a practicum or internship class, or working in an agency setting, you can change supervisors. Remember, your supervision experience is essential to your growth as a counselor, and is more important than your supervisor’s feelings.
Yours in the Joy of Knowledge,
Dr. Barbara LoFrisco
