Finding the right clinical supervisor is essential for your growth.When looking for a quality supervisor, it’s important to ensure they meet the qualifications and standards outlined in the NASW Best Practice Standards for Clinical Supervision. Key factors to consider include:

• License and Experience: The supervisor must hold a current license at or above the level in which they will provide supervision, and they should have a minimum of three years (or as required by jurisdiction) of post-licensure practice experience.
• Accredited Education: The supervisor should have a degree from an accredited school of social work, ensuring a solid foundation in social work principles and practices.
• Supervision Training: Look for supervisors who have completed specified coursework in supervision, along with a minimum number of continuing education hours in supervisory practice as required by your jurisdiction.  If you are being supervised by an LPC, that professional MUST have specific training in clinical supervision.
• No Licensing Sanctions: A quality supervisor will be in good standing with their licensing board and free from any sanctions for violations of practice standards.

The NASW Best Practice Standards also recommend seeking a supervisor who aligns with your specific practice needs and values, and who fosters a safe, supportive environment for professional growth. When selecting a supervisor, be sure to inquire about their experience, qualifications, and approach to supervision to ensure they are the right fit for your goals.

Who can supervise you depends on your specific discipline.  In Colorado:

• Social Work Candidates (SWC) and Licensed Social Workers (LSW) may only be supervised by LCSW’s.
• Professional Counseling Candidates (LPCC) may be supervised by LPC’s and/or LCSW’s, Licensed Psychologists, and LMFT’s who have experience equivalent to those within the scope of a licensed professional counselor.
• Psychologists may be supervised by a Licensed Psychologist
• Marriage and Family Therapists may be supervised by LMFT’s and/or Psychologist, LCSW’s, and LPC’s who have substantially equivalent education and experience in the field of marriage and family therapy

If you are a post-graduate, pre-licensed clinician, you are required to have supervision until you have met the requirements for and obtained independent clinical licensure.

You can learn more in the Colorado Mental Health Practice Act

Consultation is not a requirement like supervision, but it can be incredibly beneficial for your professional growth. The NASW recommends that clinicians engage in consultation 3-5 years post-licensure to continue refining skills and navigating the complexities of clinical work. You may benefit from consultation if:

• You seek guidance or feedback on challenging cases or therapeutic approaches.
• You encounter ethical dilemmas or complex clinical situations that require additional perspectives.
• You want to expand your professional skills and deepen your understanding of therapeutic techniques.
• You wish to manage personal or professional challenges arising in your clinical practice.

Consultation is an opportunity to gain insight, support, and fresh perspectives, helping you grow in your practice and continue offering the best care for your clients.

Clinical Supervision:
Clinical supervision involves direct oversight of a supervisee’s clinical competencies. It’s provided by an independently licensed mental health professional to someone who cannot practice independently without supervision. The supervisee is technically practicing under the supervisor’s license. This differs from administrative supervision.

Clinical Consultation:
Consultation is a discussion between colleagues with similar licensure, where the consultee operates under their own license. The consultant provides guidance, but is not responsible for the consultee’s clinical decisions.

From Social Work Rules & Regulations:

• Supervision: The supervisor ensures all aspects of service delivery, including client contact and treatment plans, are monitored and approved. Supervisors collaborate on decisions that require specialized skills and knowledge.
• Consultation: A voluntary relationship where professionals of similar expertise provide advice or information on a case for the consultee to use as they deem appropriate.

To become an Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS), applicants must meet the following criteria:

1. 1. Experience as Clinical Supervisor
      • Submit a Supervision Provision Endorsement form documenting a minimum of 100 hours of qualified clinical supervision, which can include individual and/or group supervision (max 12 members in a group).
   2. Clinical Experience
      • A minimum of five years of post-master’s experience in mental health services, including at least 4,000 hours of direct client service. The master’s degree must be in a mental health field.
   3. Training in Clinical Supervision
      • Complete 45 clock hours of clinical supervision training, covering: 
        • Roles and functions of clinical supervisors
        • Theoretical frameworks and models
        • Supervisory relationship issues
        • Methods and techniques
        • Group supervision
        • Evaluation, remediation, and gatekeeping
        • Technology in supervision
        • Administrative procedures and responsibilities
        • Legal and ethical issues
        • Culturally responsive supervision
   4. The ACS Credential
      • The ACS credential recognizes mental health professionals who meet national supervision standards. It promotes professional identity, visibility, accountability, and growth. As of 2016, 15 states recognize ACS as the preferred supervision credential.