How Many Hours of Supervision do LPC Associates Need?
LPC Associates in the state of Texas are required to document a total of 3,000 hours before they are able to upgrade to LPC status (what many refer to as fully licensed). Half of these hours, 1,500, must be direct client contact hours. How many hours of supervision an LPC Associate needs during this process depends on how quickly they accumulate those hours.
The minimum number of hours of supervision an LPC Associate would need is 72. This is because one cannot gain the required hours in less than 18 months, and the board requires all LPC Associates to have 4 hours of supervision per month. An LPC Associate license is good for up to 5 years, and associates must remain in supervision until they receive their license upgrade.
So 72 hours is the absolute minimum number of hours of supervision, but most associates will have more than that.
How Many Hours of Supervision Can be Provided Remotely?
Previously, there were rules in place that no more than 10% of an associate’s supervision hours could be provided remotely- through telephone or video conference. This is no longer the case. If an associate chooses to do so, they can work with a supervisor anywhere in the state of Texas.
This is a wonderful change as it allows LPC Associates a much wider range of options when selecting a supervisor. If you’re not sure where to look, check out my post on how to find an LPC Supervisor in Texas.
I currently have an associate I’m working with in El Paso and another in Houston. Technology has certainly made mental health care as well as training and supervision much more accessible.
How Many Hours of Supervision Can Take Place in Group?
While there is no limit to the number of associates an LPC Supervisor can have at any given time, there are some limitations on how supervision can be provided to multiple associates at once. Each associate needs 4 hours per month, and only half (or fewer) of these hours can take place in groups.
The state of Texas does define group supervision as 3 or more supervisees. Supervision counts as individual supervision when up to two supervisees are present. This could mean that you never have an individual supervision session with your supervisor where it is just you and they meet together.
There are certainly advantages to having supervision in groups. In my practice, I utilize group supervision as an opportunity to teach. We review board rules, collaborate on case conceptualization, or even engage in get-to-know-you activities. I find that this builds camaraderie among associates and opens the possibility of them sharing both their triumphs and challenges.
Are There Any Limits to How Many Associates Can be in a Group?
Short answer: no. As I mentioned, the board does not limit the number of associates a supervisor can supervise at a given time, nor do they have any restrictions on how many can attend group supervision.
In my practice, I plan to limit group supervision sessions to 4-6 associates. These sessions will likely be scheduled for a minimum of 90 minutes to allow enough time for each associate to share or consult if needed. (I have no problem adhering to this standard at this time as I have two associates.)
My ultimate goal as a supervisor is to protect client welfare. I never want my associates to go a week or more without feeling like they have the time they need for supervision. This is why I also allow my associates to call me in between supervisory sessions. One of the reasons I carry a smaller caseload in my own private practice is so that I can devote the time necessary to provide adequate supervision.
What if I Want a One-on-One Session with My Supervisor?
My advice: ask them. If an associate were to come to me to ask for a one-on-one session, I would schedule with them as soon as I could. During our time together, I would encourage them to share with me what it was they felt they were not getting in our previous sessions that they felt the desire for more individualized attention.
Like therapy, I believe that supervision is an active feedback process. There is no one-size-fits-all approach, and I would be remiss to think I know everything there is to know about providing supervision. I want to know when my associates perceive they are not getting what they need from me.
As I work to teach and shape my associates into fantastic, amazing therapists (or more amazing than they already are at least), they are also shaping me into a more competent supervisor. I’m rather new to this whole supervision thang, and I know I have much to learn.
If you’re an LPC Associate or soon-to-be and think I might be able to teach you a thing or two (or you think you can teach me a thing or two), schedule a call with me below. I look forward to chatting with you.
About the Author
Mark Cagle is an LPC Supervisor in Texas and provides online supervision to LPC Associates throughout the state. He also has a thriving private practice in Dallas focused on working with couples in crisis.
Being the nerd that he is, he also builds websites and creates digital marketing plans to help other therapists flourish in their practices.
There are many great reasons to work with Mark, but don't just take his word for it. If you want to skip the usual associate slog and jumpstart your career in private practice, schedule a chat.
Great info, thanks for sharing!
Mr. Cagle, what is your fee to supervise an LPC-Associate?
The fee is $400 per month. For more information about what’s included, check out my Investment page.
Do the 4 hours per month of supervision count as direct or indirect hours? Thanks in advance for your help.
Supervision hours are counted as indirect. Only hours directly providing counseling to clients count toward one’s direct hours. Hope that helps!
In South Carolina it states the LPC-A and LPC-S should meet a minimum of 4 hours per month. Can we meet more than once a week?
I can’t be 100% certain as every state is different, but I do know that Texas states 4 hours per month but does not stipulate how often one meets. For example, I do two hours of group and two hours of individual or dyadic with my associates which means we meet 3 times for a total of 4 hours each month.
Sometimes associates go on vacation and will meet 3 hours in one week then again when they return. As long as it meets the minimum requirement of 4 hours per month, the board isn’t picky. That’s between you and your supervisor.
Hi! Thank you for this. Can you help direct me to why my supervisor would be saying I need to complete 1,500 indirect hours. The way I read the rules are
1. I must complete 3,000 total hours
2. I cannot complete them fast than 18 month.
3. The remaining 1,500 hours can be a mix of direct and indirect.
Was there an old rule stating it must be 1,500 and 1,500? I do a lot of remote work and my indirect tend to get “sucked up” into my direct counseling hours. Any links, images, etc of direct proof would be wonderful so that I can present to my supervisor.
Hi Allison,
A lot of people will say that it’s split 50/50 due to the fact that that’s what most Associates get. (It’s generally faster to accrue the 1,500 indirect hours.) That being said, it is, as you said, a minimum of 1,500 direct hours and a total of 3,000. You could end up with 2,000 direct and 1,000 indirect hours; that would be fine.
The rule you want to reference is under 681.92. Experience Requirements. (b) The supervised experience must include at least 1,500 clockhours of direct client counseling contact. Only actual time spent counseling may be counted.
As you can see, there is no minimum requirement for indirect hours.
Hello All, I am seeking assistance with a question about which I am unable to find information. I reside in Texas and currently hold LPC-A status. I am supervised at a practice, and I am also a professor at a university. My question is, if I have students come into my university office during office hours seeking assistance and a bit of counseling, am I able to write the hours off within my LPC-A log?
Hi Mary,
That would ultimately be up to you and your supervisor to navigate. The rules simply define direct client contact as “time spent counseling clients”. The question would be whether the students who present to your office are considered clients. There are supervisors who specifically work with associates in school settings who might be able to provide more clarity. I have only worked with one school counselor thus far and that was only in her last hundred or so hours.
Is there a maximum number of direct hours that can be counted per week? I have been told only 30 direct hours can be counted per week, but I am not finding that anywhere in the rules.
There is no maximum number of direct hours that can be counted each week. That being said, I discourage my associates from burning themselves out early in their career and discuss setting appropriate boundaries and expectations around their work.
There is a reason one cannot achieve their hours in shorter than 18 months. Getting your hours in 18 months means working about 38-40 hours per week with half of that being direct time with clients.
Hello Mr.Cagle, I recently moved to Texas and have a question I hope you can answer. I obtained my master in professional counseling in 2012 and worked in the field for 4 years but never obtained my associate but completed an internship and completed about 2600 hours. I changed field and now want to continue my counseling career in the field. What would I need to do in Texas to get back on a career track in counseling in Texas.
Hi Jacqueline,
I encourage you to visit this website to find information about applying for a license: https://www.bhec.texas.gov/texas-state-board-of-examiners-of-professional-counselors/applying-for-a-license/index.html#lpc-as
You can also contact the board directly to determine what, if any, of your previous experience might count toward your associate hours.
Hello! Thank you so much for taking the time to answer these questions. I appreciate you.
If my MS is in School Counseling, can I still work towards obtaining my licensure in Texas? Does the MS have to be in a specific type of counseling? I carry my Pupil Personnel Credential from another state and would like to work towards licensure in Texas. Thanks for any input you can provide!
Hi Lara,
The rules state that you may apply for licensure as an LPC Associate if you have obtained a graduate degree in counseling or a counseling-related field. You can review the LPC Rulebook Section 681.82. Academic Requirements for more information.
I encourage you to contact the board to determine if your program meets the academic requirements for licensure.
What happens if, within the 5 years of having my LPC-A , I do not get my 3000 hours?
If an associate does not accrue the required hours within 5 years, they will need to reapply for licensure. The board may decide to allow you to carry over all or some of your hours (or so I have heard). If you’re getting close to the end of the 5 year period and do not anticipate completing your hours, I would encourage you to contact the board directly.
I am taking the NCE in June 2024. I have been a school counselor for ten years. Can I count my experience as direct hours?
Hello,
You cannot count hours prior to receiving your license. Once you receive your associate license, you can count time spent counseling students as direct hours.