I feel like I’m slave labor for the agency.  No one tells me how to help my clients.  I’m just left to figure it out on my own.”

My supervisor signs off on my paperwork every week but doesn’t really do anything.  We meet. I describe each one of my cases to him.  And, then we spend the remainder of the hour talking about his family.  THIS is SUPERVISION????!!!!”

How do I get the time I need to actually work with my clients?  The paperwork here is overwhelming and my supervisor is too busy to even discuss it.”

Every year the horror stories roll in . . . .  What’s a new counselor to do?  Having a great experience with clinical supervision doesn’t just happen in a vacuum.  In case your graduate program forgot to tell you, here are  nine things you can do to insure that you have the best supervisory experience possible.

1. Interview several potential supervisors even if you think you already know who you want.  Good supervisors will limit the number of counselors that they supervise so that they have ample time to spend with you.
2. Once you ask someone to supervise you, ask for a written contract with that individual that specifies details of your professional relationship.
3. Remember that supervision IS a professional and hierarchical relationship.  Don’t blur those boundaries and don’t tolerate a supervisor who blurs those boundaries.
4. Schedule regular meetings with your supervisor and make them a priority.  Treat them as you would an appointment with any other professional.  Expect your supervisor to do the same.
5. Your supervisor should make arrangements to be available to you in case of client emergencies.  If s/he is unable to do so, s/he should make arrangements for some other qualified professional to be available in her place.
6. In the event that your supervision is not going as you had envisioned it would, you need to be prepared to initiate that conversation.  Go in with an open mind, state your concerns and ask for what you need.
   

   "Perseverance" by Marcus Smith

7. If you have attempted to discuss the issue with your supervisor and are not satisfied with her response, you may seek consultations with peers.  However, until the licensing board in your state or and attorney tells you otherwise, you are required to abide by the directives of your supervisor.
8. If you are unable to satisfactorily resolve your differences with your supervisor, you may have the option to seek a new supervisor.  However, note that some states limit the number of supervisors that you may use to satisfy licensing requirements.  Check with your specific state to be sure of the rules related to this.
9. Most important of all, if you should need to leave your supervisor behind due to a conflict, take the time for self-evaluation.  Learn what you can about you and about this situation.  It is not something that you want to repeat.

How is your supervision going?

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