According to a qualitative study called “United We Stand: Narrative Study to Aid the Counseling

Profession in Developing a Coherent Identity”, "In the area of supervised experience, a majority 62% (n=2) of the states require 3000 total hours of post-master’s supervised counseling experience (ACA, 2016). Ten other states come close ranging from 2400 to 3600 hours, and five states require 4000 total hours. A majority of states, 62% (n=31) require 100 hours of supervision. Six percent (n=3) require 180-200, 8% (n=4) require 120-150, another 8% (n=4) require between 50-80, and 17% (n=9) do not specify a number of hours of supervision” (Bohecker and Eissenstat, 2018).

With the upcoming counseling compact, why does Virginia continue to be in the minority for supervision requirements?  Licensure portability is changing for the good.  Can we also address the vast differences in supervision requirements alongside these changes?  If 62% of the U.S. finds 3000 total hours of supervision sufficient, what's happening in Virginia which requires 4,000 total hours with the graduate level internship The state of Virginia projects a shortage of licensed mental health providers. However, many professionals cannot stay in the field and continue their licensure process due to the constraints of low pay, work conditions, and supervision costs. Therefore, setting new residents on a sustainable path to licensure is difficult. Lastly, MSW supervisees often work alongside LPC residents yet are required a “minimum of 3,000 hours of supervised post-masters degree experience in the delivery of “clinical social work services” and “ancillary services” meet with your supervisor for 1-4 hours per week for a total of 100 hours of individual face-to-face supervision Meet with clients face-to-face a minimum of 1,380 hours while providing clinical social work services.” (Virginia Department of Health Professions Board of Social Work, 2023). MSW's have a much broader scope yet less requirements. It's time to review, adjust and bridge the gap. I agree with this petition and the need for revision.

References: Eissenstat, S. J. and Bohecker, Lynn, "United We Stand: Narrative Study to Aid the Counseling Profession in Developing a Coherent Identity" (2018). Psychology E ducat or Scholarship. 24.

https://mosaic.messiah.edu/psych_ed/24