As an LPC supervisor, you have the responsibility to provide quality supervision to your LPC associates and ensure that they meet the standards of the profession. One of the requirements for LPC associates in Texas is to receive at least four hours of supervision per month from their board-approved supervisor. However, what if your LPC associate does not commit to this requirement? How do you handle this situation as a supervisor?
Here are some tips on how to manage an LPC associate who does not meet the supervision requirement:
Communicate clearly and frequently. Make sure that your LPC associate understands the importance and the purpose of supervision, as well as the consequences of not meeting the requirement. Remind them of the supervision agreement that you both signed and the expectations that you have for them. Communicate with them regularly and check on their progress and challenges. Provide feedback and guidance as needed.
Document everything. Keep a record of your supervision sessions, including the date, time, duration, topics, and outcomes. Document any issues or concerns that arise during supervision, such as missed appointments, lack of preparation, or poor performance. Document any attempts to resolve these issues, such as phone calls, emails, or meetings. Document any actions that you take, such as warnings, referrals, or termination of the supervision relationship.
Follow the ethical and legal guidelines. As a supervisor, you have the ethical and legal obligation to protect the welfare of your LPC associate, their clients, and the public. If your LPC associate does not meet the supervision requirement, you may need to take appropriate actions, such as notifying the board, reporting any violations, or terminating the supervision relationship. You should follow the ethical and legal guidelines of the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council, the American Counseling Association, and the National Board for Certified Counselors when making these decisions.
Seek consultation and support. Supervising an LPC associate who does not meet the supervision requirement can be challenging and stressful. You may benefit from seeking consultation and support from other experienced supervisors, colleagues, or professional organizations. You can also access resources and training on supervision from the Texas Counseling Association, the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision, and the Center for Credentialing and Education.
*Remember you do not apply any hours for any month that the requirment was not met.
Supervision is a vital component of the professional development of LPC associates. As a supervisor, you have the opportunity to mentor, support, and evaluate your LPC associates and help them become competent and ethical counselors. However, if your LPC associate does not meet the supervision requirement, you may face some difficulties and dilemmas. By following these tips, you can manage this situation effectively and responsibly.
What would you do:
I have a new LPC-A who has joined me in private practice. She is electing to still get/participate in supervision with her previous supervision from another private practice. This Supervisor has never provided this LPC-A with individual supervision only group. The Associate has also never lead a group and despite being assigned multiple clients in my practice has been unable to retain any of them. The Associate also reports she's never had an evaluation of her skills by this other Supervisor.
I naturally suspect a skill deficient. My plan of response, I will complete direct observations of her work with clients consent and mock sessions, I have assigned her a group session to lead with my…