Site Supervisor Roles and Responsibilities: Counseling Programs’ Written Expectations

Authors

Justin D. Lauka, Johns Hopkins UniversityFollow
Amanda McCarthy, Northern Illinois UniversityFollow
Steven Moody, Adams State UniversityFollow
Minna Yoo, Idaho State UniversityFollow

Author ORCID Identifier

Justin D. Lauka: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4731-8935

Amanda McCarthy: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8423-7969

Author Biographies

Justin D. Lauka, PhD, LCPC (MD), CCMHC, NCC, ACS is an Assistant Clinical Professor at Johns Hopkins University. Their research interests include clinical supervision and professional standards in counselor education.

Amanda McCarthy, Ed.D., CRC, CVE, LCPC (IL) is an Associate Professor at Northern Illinois University. Their research focuses on exploring effective methods for (rehabilitation) counseling supervisors to support and mentor counselors and counselors-in-training, prioritizing practices that enhance the well-being and satisfaction for both counselors and their clients. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8423-7969

Steven Moody, PhD, LPC (ID) is a Clinical Professor at Adams State University. Their research interests include clinical supervision and research methods in counselor education research.

Minna Yoo is a doctoral candidate in Counselor Education and Counseling program in Idaho State University. She completed MA in Counseling in Seoul National University in South Korea and worked with individuals in English and Korean for three years before pursuing doctoral degree. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Idaho, National Certified Youth Counselor (2nd grade) and Counseling Specialist (2nd grade) in South Korea. Her research interests include supervision, group work, and multicultural counseling.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.7290/tsc07rbst

Abstract

Site supervisors play a vital role in training clinical mental health counseling (CMHC) students during their field work. While clear roles and responsibilities for site supervision is a professional and ethical requirement, the scope of these expectations remains ambiguous. This article provides baseline empirical data on the expectations of sites and site supervisors communicated through field experience handbooks of CACREP-accredited CMHC programs. The authors completed a qualitative content analysis that resulted in three key categories including Site and Site Supervisor Administrative Expectations, Clinical Supervision, and Site/Program Interaction. Implications for counseling programs and future research are discussed.

Public Significance Statement

Site supervisors play a prominent role in the training of clinical mental health counseling (CMHC) students. The present study examines the roles and responsibilities of site supervisors in CACREP accredited CMHC programs. The results extend the existing literature of professional expectations of site supervisors beyond clinical supervision and highlight potential gaps that could pose unwarranted risks to trainees and their clients.

Recommended Citation

Lauka, Justin D.; McCarthy, Amanda; Moody, Steven; and Yoo, Minna (2025) "Site Supervisor Roles and Responsibilities: Counseling Programs’ Written Expectations," Teaching and Supervision in Counseling: Vol. 7 : Iss. 1 , Article 7.
https://doi.org/10.7290/tsc07rbst
Available at: https://trace.tennessee.edu/tsc/vol7/iss1/7