An LPC supervisor is a professional who works with others in the counseling field. Many practices aren't large enough to keep a full-time supervisor on staff, but they can turn to a third party for help. If you're going to work with a third-party LPC and LMFT supervisor, you should understand what their role is likely to be.

Supervising Clinical Training

Counselors-in-training should hear regular guidance regarding their clinical work. They may need to discuss specific cases to get a sense of whether a more experienced professional is seeing what they're seeing. Likewise, they may require feedback and constructive criticism regarding methods and skills. If they're trying to assemble a treatment plan, the counselor-in-training might need input about formatting, regulatory requirements, and presentation.

Oversight

Many jurisdictions require administrative oversight for counselors. An LPC supervisor can handle regulatory and administrative paperwork. They also can conduct or review evaluations for both licensed individuals and ones who are working toward their licenses.

Developing Skills

The circle of knowledge for every counselor is going to be smaller than all of the available professional skills. If you wish to develop a new skill, a supervisor can help you. They can assess where you might need to develop to become a better counselor and which skills could aid your growth.

Someone who's looking to expand their practice might consult a supervisor to discuss how to organize it. For example, someone who wants to expand into marriage and family therapy might hire a third-party LMFT supervisor. The supervisor can then tell them what to expect as they expand their practice to include different kinds of clients.

Ethics

Establishing and enforcing ethical guidelines is critical for every practice. An LPC supervisor will know the guidelines well and can assist you in developing practices that'll ensure high ethical standards.

If you have concerns about potential ethical lapses, they can assist you in evaluating what happened. More importantly, they can offer an independent perspective. You will get straight answers about what needs to be recorded or reported.

Case Consultations

Finally, some cases are challenging. You might need some guidance if the case involves problems you haven't explored before. If you are hitting a wall or think that a different approach would work better, you can consult a supervisor. An LPC supervisor can discuss methods, ethical pitfalls, and safety issues so you can provide the best environment for your client, yourself, and the staff at your practice.

Contact a company like Nancis Boice Counseling to learn more.