Finding a site supervisor for practicum or internship can feel like a daunting task. While there is no “one way” to go about a search (hence the art of it), here are some considerations for counseling students that might help.
Do Research. Once you’ve identified an agency where you’d like to do your internship, a next step might involve ensuring that there’s an appropriate supervisor on-site. If the agency has a website, you might look at the staff directory to see who identifies as a professional counselor. Since states vary according to which type of licensed professional may supervise counseling students, do your research and look up your state requirements. If your counseling program has a directory of previous internship sites and supervisors, this might be a helpful resource since it usually includes the name of previous supervisors. You might also seek out a student who had an internship there and ask to have a conversation about his or her experience. Questions for your peer could include, “How was your internship experience at this site? What types of clients did you see? Did you feel supported as an intern at the agency? Did you learn from supervision? How would you describe your supervisor’s approach to individual supervision?” Another great resource is the faculty at your university. Scheduling a meeting to ask about site supervisors and agencies could provide you with additional information, since oftentimes the faculty is familiar with clinicians and agencies in the area.
Pay Attention. Visiting the agency is essential, and paying attention when you visit is even more important. When you go to the agency for an interview and/or tour of the facility, pay close attention to how the staff treats you, how they treat each other, and what the conditions are like. This is information for you when thinking about how the staff functions as a team, overall morale of the employees, and how you might fit into the agency. You might ask to see where the interns typically do paperwork and see clients – is there a space for you or will you share office space with others? Will you feel comfortable in this space? You might ask the supervisor to tell you about how long he or she has supervised interns. It’s also appropriate to gather information about how the supervisor conducts individual supervision sessions. Questions might include, “What does your typical supervision session look like? What do you tend to focus on in supervision?” It’s important to know that every supervisor is different. While some supervisors might spend time on case conceptualization, others might focus on your personal growth and awareness. Still others might take a more didactic approach and work on counseling skills or theories. How will you work with a supervisor who is similar to or different from you? Could a “great match” between you and a supervisor make for a successful internship experience? Or could a “mismatch” in style or personality challenge you in ways that might prove beneficial?
Involve Yourself. As much as your potential supervisor will be interviewing you, keep in mind that you are interviewing him or her too! Think of what questions you have about the site, the supervisor, and supervision before going into an interview or site tour. You might reflect on what you have been working on in courses, so that you can discuss this information during your interview. For example, in a counseling skills course you might feel confident about reflecting feelings, but the skill of challenging clients might be an area for improvement. How will your supervisor support you with using your strengths and developing your areas for improvement?
While the art of seeking a supervisor will be different for everyone, I hope that the abovementioned considerations (do research, pay attention, and involve yourself) will help ease the process. Good luck with your search!
Allison L. Crowe, Ph.D., NCC, ACS
This article was previously published in the 2009 New Hampshire Mental Health Counseling Association Newsletter, The Collaborator.
Do Research. Once you’ve identified an agency where you’d like to do your internship, a next step might involve ensuring that there’s an appropriate supervisor on-site. If the agency has a website, you might look at the staff directory to see who identifies as a professional counselor. Since states vary according to which type of licensed professional may supervise counseling students, do your research and look up your state requirements. If your counseling program has a directory of previous internship sites and supervisors, this might be a helpful resource since it usually includes the name of previous supervisors. You might also seek out a student who had an internship there and ask to have a conversation about his or her experience. Questions for your peer could include, “How was your internship experience at this site? What types of clients did you see? Did you feel supported as an intern at the agency? Did you learn from supervision? How would you describe your supervisor’s approach to individual supervision?” Another great resource is the faculty at your university. Scheduling a meeting to ask about site supervisors and agencies could provide you with additional information, since oftentimes the faculty is familiar with clinicians and agencies in the area.
Pay Attention. Visiting the agency is essential, and paying attention when you visit is even more important. When you go to the agency for an interview and/or tour of the facility, pay close attention to how the staff treats you, how they treat each other, and what the conditions are like. This is information for you when thinking about how the staff functions as a team, overall morale of the employees, and how you might fit into the agency. You might ask to see where the interns typically do paperwork and see clients – is there a space for you or will you share office space with others? Will you feel comfortable in this space? You might ask the supervisor to tell you about how long he or she has supervised interns. It’s also appropriate to gather information about how the supervisor conducts individual supervision sessions. Questions might include, “What does your typical supervision session look like? What do you tend to focus on in supervision?” It’s important to know that every supervisor is different. While some supervisors might spend time on case conceptualization, others might focus on your personal growth and awareness. Still others might take a more didactic approach and work on counseling skills or theories. How will you work with a supervisor who is similar to or different from you? Could a “great match” between you and a supervisor make for a successful internship experience? Or could a “mismatch” in style or personality challenge you in ways that might prove beneficial?
Involve Yourself. As much as your potential supervisor will be interviewing you, keep in mind that you are interviewing him or her too! Think of what questions you have about the site, the supervisor, and supervision before going into an interview or site tour. You might reflect on what you have been working on in courses, so that you can discuss this information during your interview. For example, in a counseling skills course you might feel confident about reflecting feelings, but the skill of challenging clients might be an area for improvement. How will your supervisor support you with using your strengths and developing your areas for improvement?
While the art of seeking a supervisor will be different for everyone, I hope that the abovementioned considerations (do research, pay attention, and involve yourself) will help ease the process. Good luck with your search!
Allison L. Crowe, Ph.D., NCC, ACS
This article was previously published in the 2009 New Hampshire Mental Health Counseling Association Newsletter, The Collaborator.