How to Become a Clinical Supervisor and Find Provisionally Licensed Clinicians to Supervise

Dear Fellow Mental Health Professionals,

I was thinking recently about the people who helped shape me into the clinician I am today.

There are certain supervisors, professors, mentors, and colleagues whose voices still pop into my head from time to time. Sometimes it's a clinical insight they shared. Sometimes it's a challenge they gave me when I needed to grow. Other times it's simply the way they showed up with patience, encouragement, and a belief that I was capable of becoming more than I could see in myself at the time.

The truth is, none of us arrived here alone.

Every licensed clinician has benefitted from someone who was willing to invest their time, knowledge, and experience into the next generation. That's one of the things I love most about our profession. We don't just serve our clients; we help shape one another.

As therapists gain experience, many begin to feel the pull toward supervision. Some are looking for a new professional challenge. Some want to diversify their income. Others simply want to give back to a profession that has given them so much.

Whatever the reason, clinical supervision can be one of the most meaningful roles we take on in our careers.

If you've ever considered becoming a clinical supervisor, the first step is understanding your state's requirements. Most licensing boards require independent licensure, a period of post-licensure experience, and supervisor-specific training before clinicians can supervise provisionally licensed professionals. Requirements vary from state to state, so it's important to review the regulations established by your licensing board.

One thing I've learned over the years is that being a great therapist and being a great supervisor are related, but they aren't exactly the same thing.

Supervisors do far more than review cases. They help emerging clinicians develop confidence, clinical judgment, ethical decision-making skills, and professional identity. They provide encouragement when self-doubt creeps in and accountability when growth is needed. In many ways, supervision is about helping someone become the clinician they are capable of becoming.
Many therapists are surprised to discover that becoming qualified to supervise is often easier than finding supervisees.

Historically, supervisors have relied on graduate programs, agency referrals, professional networking, social media groups, and word-of-mouth connections to find provisionally licensed clinicians. While those avenues can be helpful, they often leave both supervisors and supervisees searching for the right fit.

And fit matters.

Provisionally licensed clinicians aren't just looking for someone who meets the requirements. They're looking for someone whose clinical approach, communication style, specialties, and professional values align with their own goals. Likewise, supervisors often have specific populations, treatment modalities, and areas of expertise they are passionate about teaching.

When the right supervisor and supervisee connect, something special happens. Knowledge is passed on. Confidence grows. The profession becomes stronger. Most importantly, clients ultimately benefit from better-prepared clinicians.

This is why Elevate Clinicians exists, I believe those connections should be easier to make.
The vision is simple: to create a place where supervisors can showcase their expertise, specialties, supervision style, and availability while helping provisionally licensed clinicians find the guidance and mentorship they need to thrive.

Whether you're already supervising, actively considering it, or simply curious about what that next chapter of your professional journey might look like, I hope you'll take some time to explore the opportunity.

The profession needs experienced clinicians willing to share what they've learned.

And somewhere out there, there's a future therapist whose career may be profoundly impacted by the wisdom, encouragement, and guidance that only you can provide.

Thank you for the work you do each day and for the countless lives you impact, both inside and outside of the therapy room.

Warmly,

Jami Smithson, LPC, CCTP, C-PD, Founder of Elevate Clinicians

Clinical Reflection

Take a moment to think about the people who helped shape your professional journey. Who had the greatest impact on your development as a clinician, and what is one lesson from that person that you still carry into your work today? Sometimes the best way to understand the value of supervision is to remember the people who believed in us before we fully believed in ourselves.

Know a Great Supervisor?

One of the best things about our profession is how willing clinicians are to support one another.

If you know a colleague who provides supervision, or is considering becoming a supervisor, we'd be grateful if you'd invite them to join the Elevate community.

As a thank you, both you and your referral will receive one free month of membership when they join through your referral link, found in your dashboard.

Further Reading & Resources

Clinical Supervision Resources ~

1. American Psychological Association (APA)
2. Guidelines for Clinical Supervision in Health Service Psychology
   https://www.apa.org/about/policy/guidelines-supervision.pdf
3. Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
4. 2024 CACREP Standards
   https://www.cacrep.org/for-programs/2024-cacrep-standards/
5. Center for Credentialing & Education (CCE)
6. Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS) Credential Information
   https://www.cce-global.org/acs
   Recommended Reading
   Bernard, J. M., & Goodyear, R. K. (2018).
   Fundamentals of Clinical Supervision (6th ed.)
   Falender, C. A., & Shafranske, E. P. (2004).
   Clinical Supervision: A Competency-Based Approach
   Explore Supervision Opportunities
   If you currently provide supervision, or are considering it in the future, we'd love to connect with you!
   Visit ElevateClinicians.com to learn more about connecting with provisionally licensed clinicians seeking supervision, mentorship, and professional growth.
   Because great clinicians don't happen by accident. They are developed through guidance, support, and supervision from those who came before them.