Introduction

Are you considering becoming a licensed clinical social worker? If so, congratulations! You’re on the path to an innovative and rewarding career. But before you get there, you’ll need supervision. This is an important step in your professional development, but how do you know what to look for in LCSW supervision? Before selecting a supervisor, we recommend keeping these five things in mind:

A supervising LCSW with the right experience.

The first thing you should look for in a supervisor is experience. If your LCSW has been practicing for several years and has experience with similar cases to yours, then they will be able to provide you with the guidance you need. Be sure to find a clinical supervisor who has specific training or certification in providing supervision. Your local NASW chapter should be able to point you in the right direction.

A safe space to learn.

LCSWA Supervision is a safe place to explore and learn about yourself, your clients, and your theoretical framework. What does that mean? It means that you can ask any question you want during supervision without fear of being judged or ridiculed for it. Your supervisor will listen, consider whatever you have to say, and help guide you in the best way possible.

In addition to being a safe space, LCSWA Supervision gives you an opportunity to be yourself and express who you truly are as a person in front of someone else. You’ll be able to share things with your supervisor that may not have been easy before. This process allows you to grow both professionally and personally!

A good fit for your personality, ideals, and goals.

In order to ensure that you’re working with the best possible supervisor, it is important to consider the following:

• Look for someone who is a good fit for your personality, ideals, and goals.
• Don’t be afraid to interview supervisors! Your supervisor should meet with you and discuss what type of supervision you want and what their strengths are as a supervisor. It’s okay if there are some things about this person that make him or her not quite right for you; just note down any potential concerns so they can be addressed during supervision sessions later on in your training period.
• Consider how well developed their Supervisory Skills are (see below).

A supervisor who is a committed listener.

If you want to get the most out of your LCSWA supervision, look for a supervisor who is a committed listener. Here’s how:

• Listen to what your supervisor says. Does he or she ask questions about your case? Does the supervisee feel comfortable talking about it? Does this person offer advice and feedback during supervision meetings or email conversations in between sessions?

The right support for you!

• You should feel safe in your supervision. You’re going to be opening up about yourself, and you need to know that it’s okay to do so. This includes your supervisor being able to respond appropriately if you ever experience any trauma during the course of your work or life.
• Your supervisor needs to be someone who understands what you are going through (i.e., they have been an LCSW-A themselves). This will help them understand how to support and guide you when necessary, as well as give constructive feedback about how well your supervision plan is working for you.
• They should also be someone who is willing and able to teach new skills during supervision sessions – whether those are related directly back into work settings or not!

Finding the right supervision means you’ll be a better therapist in the future

The right supervision means you’ll be a better clinical social worker in the future. A good supervisor can teach you new techniques, skills, and ways of working with clients that will help you grow as a therapist or counselor. They can also give you helpful feedback on how to handle difficult clients or situations that come up from time to time.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for supervision, we hope this guide has given you a good sense of what to look for in a clinical supervisor. We know that finding the right supervision can be difficult, but if you take your time, think about what’s most important to your career goals, and keep talking with potential LCSWs until you find one who feels like a good fit, it will definitely be worth it in the long run! If you’re looking for an LCSW clinical supervisor in North Carolina, please contact us!