How does someone become a psychotherapist?

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Working Under Supervision

How Supervision Works

Flowchart illustrating interactions between a client, a graduate intern, a supervisor, and a program. The client interacts primarily with the graduate intern, who consults with the supervisor and program for resources and expertise.
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  • Graduate Intern

    As a graduate intern, I operate under the direct clinical supervision and license of a fully licensed therapist, with whom I engage in regular, at least weekly, case consultations and activity reviews. Additionally, I receive ongoing supervision from program faculty at my university, which includes weekly meetings and comprehensive review of a minimum of two client sessions per semester.

  • Supervisor

    As my clinical supervisor, Heather possesses direct knowledge of each client under my care. She provides regular guidance on therapeutic approaches, interventions, and theoretical frameworks, and bears ultimate responsibility for ensuring my adherence to all ethical and legal obligations of a fully licensed therapist.

  • Program

    In addition to individual supervision, various faculty members within the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program at my university provide multi-layered oversight. This encompasses weekly interactions, observations of client sessions, active coordination with my primary supervisor, and a final assessment of my competence to practice as a fully licensed therapist.

FAQs

Do clients and supervisors interact?

As a client, you always have access to anyone who supervises me or faculty from my program if you wish to connect with them. Outside of your desire to connect, there are rare cases where a supervisor may need to contact you.

How does your program observe sessions?

I record sessions from time-to-time. This is always done with the consent of you, the client. You do not have to consent to being recorded to continue having sessions with me.

What information will be shared about me as part of your supervision?

My supervisor reviews all of my progress notes and may discuss specific sessions during weekly meetings or at other times. My supervisor falls under the umbrella of confidentiality that I provide clients. Talking to a supervisor is generally expected. I review this in detail during our first sessions.