There’s a time between getting your MSW and practicing independently as an LCSW when “clinical supervision” is required. Different states have different rules; in N. Carolina the rule for supervision is 100 hours prior to submitting application for approval. This can be viewed as a barrier or as an opportunity to mentor with someone who has more experience and insight into the process of clinical social work than anyone has just starting out. In some ways this process is similar to field instruction that graduate social work programs use in educating MSW students, only much more independent.

Some supervisors are oriented toward meshing process oriented/insight oriented supervision with clinical experience. This is a valued, traditional approach used by many clinical supervisors. While I see this a valuable, my orientation is more skill based. This arose in part from necessity and also from my clinical work orientation. In today’s workplace, there are very few “pure clinical” situations where a non-licensed social worker can work while obtaining their license. Therefore while many situations can be viewed clinically, the traditional situation where clinicians can study the transference process is hard to come by. As a result, my supervision approach blends skill building, case consultation, and the clinician understanding their role in the therapy dynamic.

From time to time I have a sufficient number of supervisees to form a group, which is a different dynamic. The Licensing Board allows 25 hours of the 100 hours to be group supervision. If you are interested in group supervision, I’d be happy to discuss forming a group for this purpose.

Individual supervision rates are higher than group rates. Please contact me if you are interested.

This is a gift you give yourself as a practicing clinician; in today’s market it may also be called “coaching”. This is structured as case consultation, ongoing supervision to broaden or deepen a field of expertise, or a time you set aside for yourself to take a break from your clinical demands and gain perspective. I’ve used supervision several times over the years and always found it extremely helpful. I do not see supervision as therapy, and in fact draw clear boundaries that it is not. Nor is it training: this is much more personal. You bringing your clinical concerns, frustrations, and/or cases to someone who has been working in social work since 1976.

Interested? Give me a call.