Questions About Clinical Supervision in Arizona
Practical answers for Arizona clinicians weighing supervision with Lisa McCann-Smiles, LCSW: fit, logistics, and what to bring to a first conversation.
01
Is this a fit for where I am?
Supervision with Lisa is for therapists and social workers in Arizona who are working toward or within Supervised Private Practice. You might be newly licensed, changing settings, or several years in and ready for a different kind of support. A good fit has less to do with experience level and more to do with what you want: honest feedback, room to think out loud about cases, and someone who will talk about the practical side of the work.
02
What to have ready before you reach out
It helps to know your current license, where you are in your licensure path, how many supervision hours you are aiming for, and what kind of caseload you carry or hope to carry. You do not need a polished plan. A short list of what you want from supervision, such as more confidence with trauma cases or clarity about private practice, gives the first conversation some direction. Board requirements change, so confirm current rules with the Arizona board.
03
Questions worth asking any supervisor
Whoever you choose, ask how they structure sessions, how they give feedback, how they handle disagreement, and how they document hours. Ask what they expect from you between sessions and how they handle urgent clinical questions. Ask how they think about ethics and boundaries in private practice. Notice whether you feel able to bring up mistakes. That last one matters more than most people expect, because supervision only works when you can be candid.
04
Logistics and format
Supervision conversations usually begin with a short call to talk about goals and fit. Lisa will discuss scheduling, format, and current supervision rates directly. Use the contact form and mention supervision in your message, and keep client details out of it. If you are also curious about how the practice approaches trauma care, the approach page is a good place to get a sense of the values you would be working alongside.
05
When the work starts to weigh on you
Clinicians who work with trauma can feel the weight of it over time. Supervision is a place to notice burnout early and talk about how the work is landing on you, without that becoming a mark against you. Lisa writes about helping emerging clinicians discover their own authentic voice. That includes learning what sustains you. Bring your own reactions as seriously as you bring your case questions. Good supervision should leave room for that.
Questions
Before You Begin
Do you supervise counselors as well as social workers?
Supervision is offered to therapists and social workers pursuing Supervised Private Practice in Arizona. Ask about your specific license during the first call.
How do I start?
Use the contact form, mention supervision, and keep client information out of the message. Lisa will follow up.
Where can I read about the supervision model?
The clinical supervision page describes the developmental model Lisa uses.
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