The Clinical Supervision Crisis for Early Career Therapists: An Interview with Dr. Amy Parks

The Clinical Supervision Crisis for Early Career Therapists: An Interview with Dr. Amy Parks

Curt and Katie interview Dr. Amy Parks about the lack of resources for pre- and provisionally licensed mental health professionals to find a clinical supervisor. We discuss the current state of clinical supervision, the barriers for folks becoming clinical supervisors, what makes a good supervisor, navigating online supervision, and what licensed folks might consider when seeking consultation.

Transcripts for this episode will be available at mtsgpodcast.com!

An Interview with Dr. Amy Parks, Founder of the Clinical Supervision Directory

Dr. Amy Fortney Parks brings with her over 30 years of experience working with children, adolescents and families as both an educator and psychologist. She is a passionate “BRAIN -ENTHUSIAST” and strives to help everyone she works with understand the brain science of communication, activation and relationships.

Dr. Parks has a Doctorate in Educational Psychology with a specialty in developmental neuroscience. She is a Child & Adolescent Psychologist as well as the founder and Clinical Director of WISE Mind Solutions LLC and The Wise Family Counseling, Assessment & Education in Virginia. She is also the founder of the Clinical Supervision Directory – a connection super-highway for supervision-seekers working towards licensure in counseling and social work across the US.

Dr. Parks serves as a Clinical Supervisor for Virginia LPC Residents, as well as Dominion Psychiatric Hospital. Additionally, she is an adjunct professor at George Washington University & The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Dr. Parks is a frequently sought-after parent coach and speaker for families and groups around the world. 

In this podcast episode, we talk about clinical supervision for modern therapists

We look at the gap in clinical supervision for prelicensed or provisionally licensed mental health professionals.

What is the state of clinical supervision for mental health professionals?

• No consistent resources for newly graduated clinicians to find supervisors
• Different state to state or area to area
• Lack of supervisors and a lack of a mechanism to connect supervisors and supervisees

What are the barriers to folks becoming clinical supervisors?

• Different standards in different states
• Sometimes becoming a supervisor is too overwhelming, complicated, or too much responsibility
• The need for advanced training in supervision

What makes a good supervisor?

• Training
• Diverse experience
• Understanding the boundaries between supervision and counseling
• Supervisor, consultant, teacher roles
• Cultural humility, bias – looking at clients and supervisees

Navigating Online Supervision

• Video supervision (rather than phone)
• Have supervisees record (video) their sessions for feedback
• Research shows that telesupervision is as effective as in person
• Laws related to in-person versus virtual supervision

Supervision or Consultation After Licensure

• The value of getting consultation after you’re licensed
• The importance of a beginner’s mind
• The challenges of finding good consultation
• Finding the right match when seeking supervision or consultation