How to Create a Supervision Contract for LPC Internships- Part 2
Welcome Back!
If you haven’t checked it out yet, it may be helpful to visit my previous blog post on creating a supervision contract for LPC Interns (Part 1) HERE!
Let’s pick up where we left off… The next section to consider including in your contract:
Duration and Termination
In this section, note a specific start date for the contract (most likely the day the Intern receives his/her license) and an end date for the contract. The end could be stated in general terms such as “until such time the licensee meets the hour and supervision requirements for licensure”, or you could create a specific date when you would like the contract to end (or be reviewed and re-signed to continue supervision). I could possibly see using a specific date if you would like to review your contract with your LPC Interns each year and decide if any changes need to be made. In that case, you could set an end date for each year, and then add a statement that the contract will be reviewed at the end of each year and renewed only after both parties agree to the updated contract.
You may also want to add additional ways this contract can be terminated. For example, you could allow for termination of the contract with 30 days written notice (or whatever timeframe you prefer). It might also be helpful to put a general statement that the contract will be terminated immediately if either party fails to maintain necessary qualifications or follow board policies.
Liability Insurance
Even though the full professional responsibility for the counseling activities of an LPC Intern rests with the LPC Supervisor, it may be important for you to require your interns to purchase their own professional liability insurance. I would recommend placing specific minimums of insurance requirements as well (such as $1 million individual, $3 million aggregate). This is also a good time to review their insurance policy to help explain what type of coverage they have, and how to best prevent situations from needing it!
Additional Supervisors
This section establishes protocols for LPC Interns to notify the Supervisor of any other supervisors that the intern is using. In Texas, an LPC Intern is allowed to have two supervisors, but it’s important to have in your contract that your intern will notify you if they choose to add/change anything regarding the people supervising them.
Payment for Services
Place in this section the specific wording from the licensing board regarding LPC Interns receiving compensation. In Texas, LPC Interns are not allowed to receive any direct compensation from clients. This is another important area to address with your interns.
Process of Supervision
This section lays out all the expectations of the Supervisor and Intern. You can start by writing “The Supervisor shall”, and then list all the responsibilities/expectations that you will adhere to. This could be things such as:
Maintain full credentials as an approved LPC Supervisor in Texas throughout the entirety of the supervision process.
Provide guidance and oversight in diagnosing and treating LPC Intern’s clients.
Conduct supervision according to Title 22 Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 681 (Professional Counselors).
Then, you can list the Interns responsibilities. This may include:
Attend supervision on the agreed upon basis.
Come to supervision prepared to discuss cases, with an emphasis on high risk cases.
Bring in the total number of face-to-face and indirect counseling hours accumulated since the last supervision session.
These are just a sample of options. This section allows you to create concrete responsibilities and expectations both you and your interns will be accountable to following. Make it specific to your needs and requirements.
Remediation Plan
Hopefully, you will not have to implement a remediation plan very often, but sometimes it may occur. The LPC rules state that supervisors are required to create a formal remediation plan if they feel the intern is not meeting the standards expected of the supervisor and/or the LPC Board. See 681.93 (f)(4) in the Texas Administrative Code for more details on this. In this section, it may be helpful to make it extremely clear that if your intern fails to adhere to the remediation plan, supervision will be terminated immediately and you will not approve the intern for full licensure. By placing specific language regarding the consequences of failing to adhere to a remediation plan, you are covering yourself regarding any possible legal/license complaints that could occur if the intern becomes upset that you are not willing to complete their supervision and/or approve them for full licensure.
Finally…
End with a final paragraph stating that both parties agree to comply with all LPC rules for the entirety of the supervision contract. You may also want to add a specific statement of acknowledgement of receipt for all important documents given to the intern when entering into a supervision contract. These may include: copy of signed supervision contract, copy of LPC Brochure, Supervision Hours Log, LPC Consumer Complaints Sign, Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 611, and Current LPC rules.
After that, put a final “legal statement” saying something like “I HAVE READ AND UNDERSTAND ALL OF THE ITEMS IN THIS CONTRACT AND AGREE TO ITS TERMS.”
Then put the typical signature stuff at the end (signature, date, printed name) for both the intern and supervisor.
REMINDER!!
These are only suggestions, and it’s recommended you consider what is best for your supervision practice when creating your supervision contract.
It may be helpful to consult with an attorney as well to make sure your document is accurate and legally binding.