f.a.q about clinical supervision for licensure
This information is intended for clinicians who have obtained their Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate (LCMHCA) license through the North Carolina Board of Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors. For clarification or to verify any details provided, please consult the Board’s official website.
How does supervision begin?
Once a clinican has obtained their LCMHCA license, they must find a supervisor to oversee their work. Â This supervisor can be a LCMHCS or other approved supervisor by the board. Â Once a clinican has found a supervisor, then the Supervision Contract must be completed and signed by the supervisee and supervisor. This contract is on the boards website. Â Click here to review the contract.
What is the cost of supervision?
Supervision fees can vary widely between supervisors. Be thoughtful and discerning when discussing costs, and consider asking about factors such as experience, credentials, and certifications to ensure the fee aligns with the value of the supervision provided. It’s also important to recognize that supervisors carry their own professional expenses—such as malpractice insurance, ongoing trainings to maintain their supervisory credential and licensure, and continuing education to stay current with research and best practices. These investments all contribute to providing high-quality, ethical supervision for supervisees.
How often do you have to meet with your supervisor?
This is a question that is asked alot. Â Per board policy, an LCMHCA Â must meet with their supervisor for at least one hour every 40 hours of clincial work. Â These 40 hours include direct and indirect hours. Â Per the board:
“”Supervised professional practice” means counseling experience under the supervision of a qualified clinical supervisor, as defined in Rule .0209 of this Section, and includes a minimum of one hour of individual or two hours of group clinical supervision per 40 hours of supervised professional counseling practice.”
Click here for more information.
What should I expect supervision to look like?
There are several ways a supervisor may structure clinical supervision, so the approach can vary from one supervisor to another. However, supervisors should consistently document your total direct and indirect hours, as well as all supervision hours. They should also maintain a Supervision Log—similar to the one provided on the Board’s website—to accurately record each supervision session.  Click here for the Supervision Log that is on the board’s webiste.  In addition, your supervisor should be completing quarterly reports in their portal on the board’s website.