Licensed Professional Counselor Supervision in Texas

Training and Experience in Clinical Supervision:

In 2022, I obtained my Supervision credential after completing the required 40-hour Supervision Training Course. This training included: models of supervision, supervisory relationships and counselor development, group supervision, multi-cultural supervision, evaluation methods, and supervisory roles. It also included Texas state requirements for standards of practice, roles of supervision, ethics, legal and professional issues, administrative tasks, contracts, record keeping, and reporting. Association for Counselor Educators and Supervisors (ACES) best practices and Ethics in technology specific to supervision were completed later. Each licensure renewal requires an additional 6 hours of continuing education specific to enhancing supervision training. I currently work only with LPC-Associates in the state of Texas. I focus on Associates who would like to improve their understanding of how to work with clients who struggle with Complex Trauma and Dissociative Disorders.

Model or Approach to Clinical Supervision, Role of the Supervisor, Objectives and Goals of Supervision, and Modalities used: 

There are several supervision theories available to provide a flexible and dynamic experience for a supervisee. With many models in supervision to work from, I currently favor using the Common Factors Discrimination Model introduced by A. Elizabeth Crunk and Sejal M. Barden in 2017.  If you are interested in learning more, I have a copy of their article available for review.  In my experience, this approach leads to improved safety and trust in the supervisory dyad, as well as personal insight for the supervisee and overall growth in counseling skills and ethical behaviors.

As a Clinical Supervisor, it is important to protect both the clients being served by supervisees and the supervisees themselves. This can only be accomplished when the supervision relationship provides the supervisee with appropriate support, guidance, and trust in their abilities.  

Supervisees will be asked to identify two main goals they would like to pursue as a clinician.   They will also be asked to identify two areas they are already aware of that challenge them in reaching those goals. 

My supervision requires working towards expanding the Associate’s knowledge around recognizing and treating trauma, complex trauma, and dissociative disorders; specific continuing education will be part of the supervision contract.

We will review client cases, ethics related to counselor practice, development of counseling skills, and the creation of resources specific to the supervisee to achieve their stated goals.

Evaluation Procedures:

At the beginning of supervision, the supervisor and supervisee will review goals and objectives. Documentation of supervision will occur regularly, and formative feedback will be provided at each session. This documentation is based on the requirements for licensure, educational institutions, or workplace environments.

The supervisee is responsible for tracking client contact hours during the supervision period and for logging required supervision hours, including dates and the duration of each session. The supervisor will also maintain a record of supervision hours along with supervision notes.

During supervision sessions, we will focus on process, personalization, conceptualization, and administrative responsibilities, with an emphasis on working with trauma. We will explore ways to review and enhance your counseling skills through methods such as videotaping, audio recordings, case notes, or role plays.

As a clinical supervisor, if ethical violations occur on the part of the supervisee, efforts will be made to correct and learn from the error. This will involve a written remediation plan, which will be kept in the supervisee’s file. The only exception to this approach is if the supervisee engages in a sexual relationship with a client. In that case, the violation will be immediately reported to the appropriate licensing and ethics board, and supervision will be terminated.

Periodic evaluations of progress will be conducted, along with opportunities for the supervisee to provide feedback on the supervision process. This promotes continued focus on goals and helps maximize the supervisee’s learning experience.

If personal issues appear to be impeding the supervisee’s ability to function as a safe, effective, and ethical provider, I may request that the supervisee seek personal counseling. Once personal counseling has been initiated, supervision may continue. Counselors who are self-aware enough to recognize when they need personal therapy are acting ethically and professionally and should feel supported in continuing their supervision.

Fee Schedule: 

I conduct supervision for Licensed Professional Counselor – Associates in the state of Texas, either In-person or through videoconferencing sessions. Occasional sessions via telephone are available as needed.  The State of Texas requires LPC-Associates to earn a minimum of 3000 clock hours. 1500 hours must be direct services through client contact. Hours cannot be earned in less than 18 months.  Supervision must also occur for a minimum of 4 hours a month. Supervision hours are considered indirect hours. This can be done 1 hour each week or 2 hours on a bi-weekly basis until the supervisee has obtained full licensure status.

·        Individual Clinical Supervision Sessions: $69 per 60-minute session

·        Triadic Clinical Supervision Sessions: two supervisees to one clinical supervisor for 60 minutes would be $45 per session per person

·        Bi-weekly rates are $120 for individual sessions, and $80 for triadic sessions

Responsibilities of Each Party:

The Supervisor Shall:

  •  Maintain current supervisor status throughout the term of this contract with the supervisee

  • Maintain a written record of each supervisory session in a file for the LPC Associate, which will contain:

    • Signed and dated copy of Council’s supervisory agreement form for each of the LPC Associates supervisors (if more than one)

    • Copy of the LPC Associate’s online license verification, noting the dates of issuance and expiration

    • Copy of supervisee’s malpractice insurance

    • Copy of the supervisee’s Resume

    • Fees and record of payment (if applicable)

    • Dated notes of each supervisory session

    • Supervision Hours Log

    • Evaluations and Surveys

    • Remediation plan (if needed)

    • Record of acknowledgment if supervisee is self-employed (if needed)

    • Record for a leave of absence of one month or more (if needed)

  • Review all provisions of the Act and Council Rules and make sure LPC Associates adheres to them

  • Supervisor must submit to the Council accurate documentation of the LPC Associates experience within 30 days of the end of supervision, or the completion of the LPC Associates required hours (whichever comes first)

The Supervisee Shall:

  • File all application forms and pay all applicable fees including

    • Meeting all academic requirements for licensure

    • All required examinations

    • Finding a supervisor and completing the Council’s supervisory agreement form

  • Comply with all provisions of the Act and Council Rules

  • The LPC Associate will be unable to accumulate hours until their supervisor has been approved and the LPC Associate license has been issued

  • LPC Associate may only practice counseling under the supervision of their approved Supervisor(s)

  • LPC Associate may have no more than 2 council-approved supervisors at one time

  • An LPC Associate who does not complete licensure after 60 months must reapply for the license

  • LPC Associate must continue to be supervised after completion of their 3000 hours until the LPC Associate receives their LPC License

  • The LPC Associate must not represent themselves as an independent practitioner, and all documents provided to their clients must reference the name and contact information of their supervisor

  • The LPC Associate must complete 3000 clock-hours of supervised experience, but may not complete this in less than 18 months.  1500 hours must be direct client counseling contact; only actual time counseling may be counted

  • LPC Associate must receive direct supervision consisting of a minimum of 4 hours per month of supervision in individual (up to two associates) or group (three or more associates) settings; no more than 50% of the total hours of supervision may be received in group supervision

The process of supervision will occur as follows:

The supervisor shall:

  • Provide supervision on an agreed-upon basis

  • Provide ongoing feedback through evaluation of supervisees’ clinical skills

  • Provide guidance and oversight of the supervisee clients

  • Provide services as a teacher, counselor, and consultant to aid in improving process, personalization, conceptualization, and administration through a growth model

  • The Counselor role will be limited to working with particular cases, and any additional counseling needs by the supervisee will have to be addressed by a separate therapist

  • Provide other services if needed and noted in the final contract

The supervisee shall:

  • Attend supervision on the agreed-upon basis

  • Apprise the supervisor of the diagnosis and treatment of each client

  • Apprise the supervisor of any safety concerns of clients

  • The LPC Associate must provide and maintain malpractice insurance for the duration of supervision

  • The LPC Associate must track their hours and share this information with their supervisor at each supervisory session

  • Participate in specific activities to be discussed during the initial meeting and will be noted on the final contract