The LCSW supervision process may seem long and complicated when you are first embarking on this journey. The path to becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) can be both rewarding and challenging. This blog post aims to provide you with a comprehensive guide on how to get supervised hours for your LCSW, focusing on the importance of LCSW supervision.
Understanding LCSW Supervision
Before delving into how to get supervised hours, it’s crucial to understand what LCSW supervision entails. It involves working under the guidance of an experienced and board-approved licensed clinical social worker supervisor. The LCSW-S provides oversight, support, and feedback on your work. This supervision is essential as it helps you develop your skills, apply theoretical knowledge in practice, and navigate ethical dilemmas that may arise in your work.
Texas Social Work Board Requirements for Clinical Supervision:
1. The supervisee will acquire 3,000 post-masters supervised hours
2. The supervisee will meet with their LCSW-S supervisor for a total of 100 hours.
3. The minimum time to complete this is two years and no more than four.
4. The supervisee is required to meet with their supervisor a minimum of 4 hours per month, either individually or in a group format. This can be accomplished online or in-person.
In my program, I offer online group supervision to LMSWs residing anywhere in Texas. Groups are held two times per month (biweekly) in two-hour blocks, with several days and times available. https://thepathforwardtx.com/lcsw-supervison/
In order to count your social work employment toward the 3,000 required hours, you need to be serving in a role that will assess, diagnose, and treat a mental health and/or substance abuse disorder, using DSM V criteria, a minimum of four hours per week. These roles can comprise a variety of social work settings, so if you have direct client contact and are utilizing clinical skills, your job will probably meet the criteria. Your LCSW-S will determine if your job role is suitable for supervision.
The Texas Behavioral Executive Council is the state agency that administers and enforces certain chapters in the Occupational Code. Rules are known to change through the legislature, so it’s a good idea to bookmark the site and reference it occasionally for any updates. https://www.bhec.texas.gov/statues-and-rules/index.html
Securing Your LCSW Supervisor
The first step towards getting your supervised hours is finding an appropriate supervisor. Ideally, this should be someone who not only meets the licensing board’s requirements but also aligns with your professional goals and areas of interest.
Remember that not all supervisors are created equal – take time to interview potential candidates to ensure they are a good fit for you. Ask about their supervisory style, areas of expertise, availability for meetings, and any fees they might charge.
Navigating the Supervision Process
Once you’ve secured a supervisor, it’s time to start accumulating those crucial supervised hours. Here are some tips to help you navigate this process:
1. Be proactive: Take charge of your learning experience by setting clear goals and regularly seeking feedback from your supervisor.
2. Stay organized: Keep detailed records of your supervised hours as you will need these when applying for licensure. There will be required paperwork for you to complete and provide to your supervisor, be sure and keep copies for your records as well.
3. Be patient: Accumulating the required number of hours takes time – don’t rush the process. And know that the two years can go by fairly quickly! You’ll be surprised at how soon you’ll be preparing to take the LCSW exam.
4. Stay engaged: Use this opportunity not just as a requirement for licensure but as a chance to grow professionally.
5. Seek support: Don’t hesitate to seek additional support or mentorship outside of supervision if needed.
Overcoming Challenges in Obtaining Supervised Hours
Despite careful planning and preparation, you may encounter challenges while trying to obtain your supervised hours for LCWS certification:
1. Limited availability of supervisors: In some areas or specialties, finding an available supervisor can be difficult. Being able to offer online supervision throughout Texas has helped to expand access to quality supervision.
2. Balancing work-life demands: Juggling supervision with other professional responsibilities can be challenging. I understand the variety of commitments supervisees face and strive to offer several different group days and times to offer flexibility.
3. Financial constraints: Some supervisors charge fees that may strain already tight budgets. However, some employers may reimburse the cost of supervision as an employee benefit, so be sure to check with the agency you work for to see if that is an option.
To overcome these challenges:
1. Seek out group supervision opportunities if individual supervisors are scarce.
2. Consider negotiating flexible working arrangements with your employer or supervisor.
3. Look into scholarships or grants that might help offset supervision costs.
Obtaining supervised hours is an integral part of becoming an LCSW – it’s more than just ticking off a requirement; it’s about growing professionally under expert guidance throughout the LCSW supervision process! With careful planning and perseverance, you can successfully navigate this journey towards becoming a fully licensed clinical social worker!