Quarterly Newsletter, June 2010, Vol. 19 No. 2

Responsibility in Supervision

When a person is approved for supervision by the LPC board, there are areas of responsibility that are incumbent upon the supervisor and counselor intern. If you are a supervisor and are asked to supervise someone, your responsibility includes ensuring that the person to be supervised is properly registered with the LPC board. This is accomplished by providing the board with a written proposal outlining with as much specificity as possible the nature of the counseling duties to be performed by the counselor intern and the nature of supervision. Part II of registration of supervision forms is utilized for this purpose. A conscientious supervisor would not overlook the importance of this form because it contains the very essence of the proposed supervisory experience for the counselor intern for the next two years, or as long as he is assigned to that particular site. Assisting the counselor intern in completing this form will provide the supervisor and the counselor intern with clear objectives for the experience. The supervisor may want to keep copies of all paperwork pertaining to the counselor intern in a folder for their convenience. The supervisor is also responsible for signing Part II of the application. Upon completion of the requirements for licensure, the supervisor is responsible for certifying to the LPC board that the counselor intern has successfully complied with all requirements for the supervised counseling experience. This is accomplished by completion of the Documentation of Experience Form. (This was covered in a previous article)

During the transition from student intern to counselor intern, the intern should be knowledgeable of the procedures in applying for supervision. These procedures are easily found on the LPC Board's website (lpcboard.org). If a prospective counselor intern has any difficulties in completing the application process, their prospective supervisor should be able to assist. In turn, the supervisor must be thoroughly familiar with the process. Their knowledge should bridge any gaps in that may prevent the counselor intern from becoming registered for supervision.

Most of the difficulties that occur later in the supervisory process could be prevented by careful consideration by both the supervisor and counselor in collaboration on the application process and throughout the supervisory experience. The transition from student intern to counselor intern should be as smooth as possible and serves as a valuable learning experience for future transitions in the counseling field.

SUPERVISORS BEWARE

DOCUMENTATION OF EXPERIENCE

It has come to the LPC Board’s attention that supervisors are not aware of their Counselor Interns’ (CI) work setting of the correct number of Direct Client Contact hours. Please be aware that, as an LPC Supervisor, it is your responsibility to be cognizant of the CI’s work site, and how the he or she is keeping up with Direct Client contact hours.

There have been instances where the supervisor was unaware that the CI was working at two separate facilities, and not notify the LPC Board of the additional worksite. Remember, CIs cannot work independently. They must be under administrative supervision during their internship. As an LPC supervisor, you must verify the CIs direct and indirect hours. Requirements for licensure include a MINIMUM of 1,900 direct client contact hours, a MAXIMUM of 1,000, and a MINIMUM 100 hours of face to face clinical supervision. Submitting 1,900 direct, 1,000 indirect, and 100 supervision hours is cause for suspicion.

In order to insure compliance, the LPC will conduct random audits of CIs applying for licensure. Be ready to provide such documentation. Remember, as long as a CI is under your supervision, you are responsible for his or her legal and ethical