Many therapists in private practice wonder how to fulfill the supervisory experience requirement for the Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS) credential offered through the Center for Credentialing and Education (CCE)—especially if they’ve never held a formal supervisory role in mental health.
In addition to the required coursework, a candidate for the Approved Clinical Supervisor credential must have earned a minimum of a master’s degree and a state license/certificate. The clinician must have 5 years post master’s clinical experience equaling at least 4000 hours of counseling experience plus documentation of at least 100 hours of providing clinical supervision to counselors and/or counselors in training (some states have different/additional requirements so be sure to check with your licensing board).
The good news? There are multiple ways to demonstrate supervision experience beyond traditional licensure-based supervision.
1. Work in a Group Practice or Agency with Supervisory Duties
If you’re currently in private practice, consider contracting with a group practice, community agency, or mental health organization where you can:
✔ Supervise interns or pre-licensed professionals
✔ Oversee case managers, behavioral health technicians, or paraprofessionals
✔ Serve as a clinical lead for team case consultation
2. Volunteer for Supervision Opportunities
Many nonprofits, crisis centers, and university counseling centers offer roles where licensed professionals can mentor or oversee staff. Consider:
✔ Volunteering to train or consult with case managers, crisis workers, or peer support specialists
✔ Partnering with local training programs that need licensed therapists to supervise interns
3. Supervise Paraprofessionals or Other Mental Health Professionals
Even if you haven’t supervised a licensed therapist, many ACS applicants use experience supervising:
✔ Parent educators, case managers, or community mental health workers
✔ School-based counselors, addiction counselors, or other behavioral health providers
✔ Behavioral health technicians (BHTs) or mental health coaches
4. Lead Case Consultation or Peer Supervision Groups
You don’t need to be in a formal agency role to guide case discussions. You can:
✔ Organize peer supervision groups where you provide structured feedback
✔ Facilitate case consultation groups for early-career therapists
5. Explore Adjacent Fields for Supervisory Roles
If you have a background in training, coaching, or consulting, some of that experience may count if it involved:
✔ Mentoring professionals in related fields (e.g., trauma-informed care, wellness coaching)
✔ Providing structured feedback to behavioral health teams
Next Steps
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Review your past roles: Have you ever mentored, trained, or guided others in a professional setting?
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Seek out new opportunities: Consider joining a group practice, consulting with an agency, or volunteering.
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Document your experience: Keep a log of any mentoring, case consultation, or structured feedback sessions you provide.
Supervisory Experience Record
Feel free to download the Supervisory Experience Log to track your supervisory experience required for the ACS.
If you’d like to brainstorm how to gain hours based on your specific situation, let’s set up a time to chat!
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