If you are considering becoming a licensed professional counselor (LPC), one of the requirements you will need to meet is supervision. Supervision is necessary in order to provide counseling services. This article will provide an overview of what to expect during LPC supervision.

The Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors (TSBEP) is responsible for regulating the practice of professional counseling in Texas. One requirement for licensure as an LPC is supervision. In order to provide counseling services, a licensed professional counselor associate must be supervised by an LPC with supervisory status. Supervision entails meeting with your supervisor on a regular basis to discuss your counseling practice. Your supervisor will provide feedback and guidance to help you grow as a counselor.

What to Expect During LPC Supervision

When you begin working with a new supervisor, there are some things you can expect. First, your supervisor will likely want to get to know you better. They will want to know about your education, training, and experience in counseling. They will also want to know about your personal and professional goals. This information will help them create a supervision plan that is tailored specifically for you.

Your supervisor will also expect you to be professional and ethical in your counseling practice. They will expect you to comply with the standards of the American Counseling Association (ACA) and the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors. This includes following the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice for professional counselors.

In addition, your supervisor will expect you to be accountable to them. This means that you will need to keep them up-to-date on your counseling practice. You will also need to follow their guidance and recommendations.

Finally, your supervisor will expect you to be engaged in the supervision process. This means that you should be actively participating in your supervisory meetings and using the feedback that you receive to improve your counseling practice.

Who Can Provide Supervision to LPC Associates?

Only Licensed Professional Counselors can serve as supervisors for LPC Associates. They must be licensed to provide supervision and have supervisory status with the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors. In addition, they must comply with the standards of the American Counseling Association and the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors.

When Should You Start Seeking Supervision?

You must start seeking supervision before you begin working with clients. Finding an LPC Supervisor is a prerequisite to obtaining your LPC Associate license in the state of Texas.

Supervision is a key component of the LPC licensure process. It is important to find a supervisor who is qualified and compatible with you. Take your time in finding the right supervisor, and be sure to ask plenty of questions before you begin working with them.

How Often Do You Meet With Your Supervisor?

Most supervisors will offer supervision weekly. This can be through individual supervision or provided as group supervision. The board requires that LPC Associates meet with their supervisor for a minimum of four hours per month.

Individual supervision can be provided to up to two associates at a time. Group supervision can technically be provided to an unlimited number of associates at the same time. At least 50% of your supervisory hours must take place in individual supervision.

You can check out this article to find out how many hours of supervision you’ll need.

The Responsibilities of the Supervisor and Supervisee

At a minimum, the supervisor is responsible for the following:

-Reviewing the associate’s client record

-Providing feedback and guidance to the associate

-Evaluating the associate’s clinical skills

-Monitoring the associate’s professional development

At a minimum, the associate is responsible for the following:

-Following the supervisor’s directions

-Completing all assigned clinical work

-Regularly meeting with the supervisor to discuss clinical work

-Maintaining professional boundaries with clients

-Participating in continuing education and training opportunities

The supervisor is responsible for overseeing the counseling practice of the LPC Associate. In addition, they are responsible for providing feedback and guidance to help the LPC Associate grow as a counselor.

How to find a qualified supervisor in your area

I recently wrote a great article (if I do say so myself) on How to Find an LPC Supervisor. Basically, you have a few options from doing a simple Google search for LPC-S in your city to asking for recommendations from colleagues or your professors.

Being in the state of Texas means that you can receive clinical supervision anywhere in the state. That means you can work with a highly competent supervisor regardless of your physical location.

Many therapist offer free consultations for prospective clients, and this is often true for supervisors as well. Don’t be afraid to chat with a few to determine who you think will be a great fit.

You will probably want to find a supervisor who has or is doing something similar to what you hope to achieve yourself.

Cost of Supervision

The average fee for supervision is around $75-$125 per hour. However, fees can vary depending on a number of factors, including the location and experience of the supervisor. It is important to discuss fees with the supervisor before beginning supervision.

Engaging in quality supervision can be a life-changing experience, but we certainly don’t want it to contribute to financial strain and stress. If you are unable to pay out-of-pocket for supervision, you may apply for an agency or community mental health position which offers supervision as a benefit to employees.

I offer an affordable option for LPC Associates wanting to go into private practice. At just $400 per month, you’ll receive guidance not just for your clinical practice but also for building a successful business (something they certainly didn’t teach you in grad school).

I also offer flexibility in scheduling and access via phone or text in between supervision sessions. My associates know they can contact me any time when they have questions or concerns.

In Conclusion

If you are an LPC Associate (or soon-to-be) in Texas, it is required by the state board that you engage in regular supervision. This post has outlined some of what you can expect from your supervisor during this time. Supervision provides a number of benefits to both the associate and the supervisor, including growth as a counselor, evaluation of clinical skills, and guidance with professional development. When looking for a supervisor, it is important to find someone who is qualified and a good fit for you and your practice. Fees for supervision can vary, but many supervisors offer a free consultation to discuss the supervisory relationship.

Be sure to check out my previous post on How to Find an LPC Supervisor. As always, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out. You can schedule a free 30-minute Zoom call using the calendar below.

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.