(If you are a Florida client, this page does not apply to you)
According to the laws governing Counseling in the Commonwealth of Virginia, Residents in Counseling must complete a set number of clinical hours under the direct Supervision of an approved Supervisor. This process takes a minimum of 21 months, and a maximum of four years. I became a Resident in Counseling in Virginia in February 2023.
About My Supervisors
My private practice Supervisor is Sharon Watson, LPC, LMFT, LSATP, NCC, ACS. Sharon has been a continuing education provider of her 20-hour Clinical Supervision Training (required for clinicians to supervise residents) since 2009 which she provides through the VA Mental Health Counseling Association (VMHCA). She is also an ACS (Approved Clinical Supervisor) which requires that she take trainings specifically on supervision to maintain that certification. Sharon is retired from working with clients after a nearly 20-year career as a Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She currently serves on the Board of VMHCA as the Chair of Education and Advocacy.
For clients who are in VA and work with us through Hope Inspired Therapy, I am Supervised by Susanna Wood, LPC, CTP, NCC.
What is Supervision?
Supervision means the ongoing process performed by a supervisor who monitors the performance of the person supervised and provides regular, documented individual or group consultation, guidance, and instruction that is specific to the clinical counseling services being performed with respect to the clinical skills and competencies of the person supervised.
Who Can Be a Supervisor?
A person who provides Supervision for a Virginia Resident in professional counseling shall:
- Document two years of post-licensure clinical experience;
- Have received professional training in supervision, consisting of three credit hours or 4.0
quarter hours in graduate-level coursework in supervision or at least 20 hours of continuing
education in supervision offered by a provider approved under 18VAC115-20-106; and - Hold an active, unrestricted license as a professional counselor or a marriage and family
therapist in the jurisdiction where the supervision is being provided.
What Changes After Licensure?
For you, nothing. Our therapeutic relationship will continue uninterrupted. I will continue to seek consultation with colleagues and supervision as frequently as needed.
Susan Klemmer, LLC 