I also live in southern Va where qualified licensed professionals are not readily found. However, my supervised 2 years of experience was essential in my fully understanding the responsibility of practice and developed my clinical skills. 

I find varied level of skills, education and abilities with QMHPs. I face daily challenges with QMHPs failing to continuing education/knowledge requirements as a direct result of lack of mandated continuing education and they are not bound by a code of ethics to practice. I mention this as an example of the potential clinical level of experience most doctoral candidates have. Without practical experience the "practice" of our profession is based in real practice with a working knowledge of a code of ethics-ethics and legal requirements are not theory.