HOW TO SELECT A SUPERVISOR TRAINING PROGRAM
Supervisor training is a big investment. Here are some important considerations to think about when making a decision about what training is the best for you. Michigan Board of Counseling Rules specify what supervisor training must include. It is important that your training program meet these requirements. These requirements can be found in Rule. 333.1757 (2). (https://dtmb.state.mi.us/
In addition to making sure that the training meets state requirements or requirements for the supervisor credential you are seeking, you will want to evaluate the quality of the program itself.
Is the trainer willing to provide a list of people who have taken the training so that you can contact them and ask about the training? This approach usually yields more interesting information when you select someone from a list to ask questions of rather than simply relying on testimonials. Will this program truly prepare you for the new role you are taking on as a supervisor?
Finally, you want to evaluate the value of the program. Beyond just providing a training to meet training requirements to be a supervisor, what added value does the program provide?
It might surprise you to know that there are no particular requirements in the Rules concerning who can provide this training. There is no requirement that someone providing supervisor training has actually done supervision. There is no requirement that the trainer be licensed as an LPC. Because Licensure laws and supervision requirements vary from state to state, you will probably want to make sure that your trainer is licensed to practice in Michigan and is a qualified supervisor in Michigan. Therefore, it is important that anyone who is considering investing in supervisor training take a close look at both at the program being considered and then trainer(s) providing it.
Questions to ask about the trainer:
- How long has your trainer been licensed to practice in Michigan? You can go to the verify a license section on the LARA website (https://www.michigan.gov/
lara/0,4601,7-154-89512---,00. html) to see when your trainer’s license was issued.
- How long has the trainer provided supervision in Michigan? How do they meet the requirements to be a supervisor? Michigan Rules require that supervisors provide their supervisees with a statement detailing how they meet the requirements to be a supervisor. Don’t hesitate to ask your trainer for a copy of this statement.
- What supervision credentials does your trainer hold? The national credential for supervisors is the Approved Clinical Supervisor Credential (ACS). The MITS credential for Michigan supervisors designates a qualified supervisor with training that meets Michigan requirements. The Center for Credentialing and Education, which issues the ACS credential, provides a link to Nation al Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) ACEP (Approved Providers of Continuing Education.)
https://www.nbcc.org/search/acep_by_state?statecode=MI
The Michigan Mental Health Counselor’s Association (MMHCA) sponsors The Mentoring Institute (TMI) Supervisor Training because it meets the criteria cited above. TMI chooses to partner with MMHCA to strengthen the organization which advocates for our profession in Michigan. Both MMHCA and TMI believe that supervisors play an important role in shaping the Counseling Profession in our state, and their partnership helps to ensure that Michigan supervisors will be qualified, informed, and knowledgeable mentors of our profession.
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