10 More Questions You Must Ask Your Prospective Supervisor

If you are getting ready to start shopping for a clinical supervisor, here are 10 more questions you need to ask before you invite them to work with you.

“Question Mark” by Segozyme

1. What professional associations are you a member of?
   Don’t assume that they are telling you the truth.  Make sure that you verify their membership through your state licensing board.
2. How are you involved in these associations?
   Does she hold an office in the organization?  Remember to verify that your prospective supervisor is as involved as she represents herself to be.
   A supervisor who is actually involved in a professional association (rather than just paying her membership dues), is better able to help develop you as a professional in the field.
3. Why did you choose to join these organizations?
   Was it about the membership fee?  The purpose of the organization?  The benefits of membership?  This can tell you a lot about what is important to your prospective supervisor.
4. Do you expect me to be involved in a professional association?
   If so, then you will want to know which organization and how involved.
5. How will you monitor my client’s welfare?
   Your supervisor may monitor you through a one-way mirror, ask you to audio / video record your sessions for review, obtain self-reports from you, contact your clients, etc.  Most clinical supervisors use a variety of methods to monitor client welfare.
6. How do you insure my compliance with ethical, legal, and professional standards?
   This is a critical task for your supervisor and you want to make sure that she has a solid plan for this to take place.  In doing so, your client as well as you will be protected.
7. What do you expect of me as your supervisee?
   Yes, your supervisor will have expectations of you and the best way to meet them is to go in informed.  A professional clinical supervisor will have a written contract that stipulates your supervisor’s expectations (as well as your own).  Don’t accept a supervisor who does not have this in place.
8. What conflicts typically arise between you and your supervisee?
   Everyone has conflicts.  You want a supervisor who is aware of them and comfortable enough to talk about them openly and honestly.
9. How do you handle conflict when it arises with a supervisee?
   You want to know that your supervisor has basic problem solving skills.
10. How do you address counter transference between me and my client?
    As a new therapist, it is likely that you may not have much experience dealing with this predictable but sticky issue.  You’ll want a clinical supervisor who doesn’t flinch, judge or shy away from helping you develop skills to deal with issues of transference and counter transference.

Are you finding these questions to be helpful?

These questions came from the Institute in Counselor Supervision taught at the University of North Texas’ Counseling Program by Carolyn W. Kern, Ph.D., LPC, NCC and Cynthia K. Chandler, Ed.D., LPC, LMFT.

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