For New and Experienced Clinicians:
Clinical / Forensic Contract Supervision
My Specialization: Forensic Counseling
Unless you recently completed your introductory counseling coursework, you may be surprised to learn that counseling is unique among helping professions in its historical focus on well-being and purposeful human growth - a tradition that still informs the way in which many counselors practice. Counselors whose training follows this tradition come to see people as adaptable, self-motivated, and goal-oriented. That is, we all need occasional support to figure out how to move forward, or how to overcome some barrier (including those we've placed in our own paths), but given that support, we are each capable of living the kind of lives we want for ourselves.
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People tend to think of anything "forensic" as relating to police and crimes, or worse, TV shows like Criminal Minds spring to their minds. Yet “Forensic Counseling” is in no way related to what you may have seen on Criminal Minds, and it’s not just court-mandated therapy, either. "Forensic Counseling" means applying those general counseling principles, values, and approaches to situations that involve some facet of the legal system. The result is therapy... with a more direct, practical flavor. From working with formerly-incarcerated people trying to rebuild their lives, to helping divorcing parents negotiate practical, lasting custody arrangements that reduce conflict, forensic counseling can be relevant and helpful in a wide variety of situations.
Within the broad specialty of forensic counseling, it's only natural to include trauma-focused and trauma-responsive therapies. After all, most people whose lives have been touched by some facet of the legal system are also those who have witnessed some of the worst moments another person's life, or lived through the worst moments of their own. When these terrible moments don't stay in the past, approaches such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Narrative Therapy, and Trauma-Informed CBT (TF-CBT) can be helpful. But Forensic Counseling can - and usually does- include other approaches and techniques. In addition to trauma therapy, my work most often includes:
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Brief Cognitive Processing Therapy or Motivational Interviewing to help people clarify their priorities and make difficult decisions.
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Dialectical Behavior Therapy to help develop coping and self-management skills in the face of a stressful situation.
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Relational, Attachment-Based Therapy can help change problematic relationship patterns, and re-shape family dynamics that don't work.
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Regardless of the specific technique, approach, or tool, I always see myself as a partner or guide, supporting clients' efforts to make tangible progress toward your specific, personal vision of well-being. As part of this specialty, I often help newly-minted and seasoned clinicians develop skills in the forensic counseling realm.
Supervision As Skill-Building
My approach is to help the clinicians I supervise develop knowledge and skills in helping complex, legal-system involved clients. From building assessment and evaluation skills, through treatment planning, and to individual therapy and harm reduction work, I see my role as helping you identify the knowledge and skill gaps you have when it comes to this difficult work, and fill these through our work together. You can expect to learn about one or more tasks that graduate school never covered:
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How to navigate community (or home) -based practice, ethically, and with healthy boundaries.
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How to write strong, clear, and accurate documentation (billable or otherwise) for the care you provide, without spending more than a few minutes on each note.
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How to assess and manage real-world crisis situations, without violating client trust, or creating liability for yourself.
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How to handle work-related issues common to practice in agencies and non-profits, from challenges with colleagues, to job changes.
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How to manage your time, workload, and relationships to prevent burnout and compassion fatigue.
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How to figure out what clients are going through and what you can do to help, when their needs are complicated.
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How to engage in effective advocacy on systemic and practical levels, to further client well-being, and when doing so is appropriate.
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If this sounds like a long list, that's because it is. There is a lot to learn, and as a contract supervisor, my role is to be your support.
Why Contract Supervision?
Though you can often get free supervision from an agency supervisor, many clinicians still choose to pursue contract supervision because contract supervision can...
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Create space for you to honestly share your struggles, without worrying about the potential impact on your job.
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Meet requirements for specific purposes (i.e., supervision hours by an LPC-S or supervisory-level LMHC), when an appropriately credentialed supervisor isn't available.
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Allow you to gain access to a "second opinion" of sorts, or feedback from another perspective.
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Facilitate specific skills development, in a context you might not be able to access otherwise.
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Need more information? Review the Supervision Disclosures and Contract here!
Frequently asked questions about Supervision:
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How much do you charge for consultation and supervision sessions?
My fee is the same across the board. I charge $150 per session, and offer some reduced-fee options here.
2.
I'm a counseling student or new graduate looking for clinical supervision for my license. Do you take interns, pre-licensed clinicians, or associate-level therapists?
I don't take clinical interns - my practice does not have the kind of clientele that would meet an intern's learning needs. I am also not currently hiring any pre-licensed or associate-level clinicians. Right now, I can only offer contract supervision to early-career clinicians who may need LPC-S (or LMHC) supervision hours for licensure in Massachusetts and Mississippi. That is, if you already have a placement (a practice site) where you can get your clinical hours, but that site does not have an LPC-S or LMHC who is qualified and able to supervise you, I may be able to provide qualified supervision which would meet the board's requirements, under certain conditions.
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I'm an experienced clinician, but I had a board complaint and need supervision to keep my license. Do you offer this kind of supervision?
Yes, in some cases. You'll need to make sure the board does not require you to meet with someone of their choosing. If that's the case, please reach out so we can talk more about your situation!
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I am working on a particularly challenging case. Can I schedule a one-time consultation with you?
Yes, of course. I often speak to clinicians who are navigating some unusually complicated or difficult case. Even if we've never talked before, please feel free to reach out and we can schedule a time to talk.
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Do you offer supervision to students or associate-level clinicians in other social service occupations (e.g., social workers or family therapists)?
No. If you are a student in one of those occupations, you should be looking for a supervisor in your discipline. Different social service or behavioral health disciplines have different practical requirements (e.g., to get a license), approaches to professional development, and skill sets. It is critical to your professional success that you receive training appropriate to your future discipline of practice, from someone who understands the licensing and regulatory requirements you need to meet
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I have a specific issue (e.g., documentation writing) and need support. Can I work with you on that?
Yes. We can work one-on-one on improving your documentation writing practices, and I'm happy to informally audit your records, to provide feedback. I also often work with clinicians on other specific skills. Feel free to reach out to inquire about those!