In adolescence, I began the unregulated practice of life coaching. As there was no education, training, or licensing requirements for my approach to helping people with various issues, I didn’t seek or receive guidance to hone my skills.
Thus, I coached without supervision up until attending graduate school. Then, I earned a Master of Arts in Counseling degree in 2011. At that time, I planned on undergoing the licensing process within Texas so that I could become competitive in the job market.
However, an individual in the behavioral health clinic at which I worked ostensibly prevented my immediate supervisor from providing clinical supervision to me in order to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). According to one source:
The Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors (TSBEP) is responsible for regulating the practice of professional counseling in Texas. One requirement for licensure as an LPC is supervision. In order to provide counseling services, a licensed professional counselor associate must be supervised by an LPC with supervisory status. Supervision entails meeting with your supervisor on a regular basis to discuss your counseling practice. Your supervisor will provide feedback and guidance to help you grow as a counselor.
After leaving the aforementioned clinic and applying to a separate graduate program, I earned a Master of Science in Social Work degree in 2014. Not long afterward, I gained employment with a national health care provider and began supervision with an offsite psychotherapist.
My supervisor retained both LPC and Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) licenses which was what I was seeking for my own credentials, as well. Notwithstanding the meaningful guidance I received from her, I terminated supervision after I was no longer employed by the aforementioned health care organization.
I then continued independent life coaching until 2019, at which point I found another dual-licensed psychotherapist whose business model included hiring interns/associates while concurrently providing supervision. I greatly benefited from his LPC and LCSW experience.
In 2021, I finally earned independent licensure with both LPC and LCSW designation. At that time, I branched out on my own and started Hollings Therapy, LLC.
Additionally, I’ve received focused training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (2020), Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT; 2021), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (2023), and as a Certified Personality Disorder Treatment Provider (2023).
There was some degree of supervision offered in accordance with the focused training I received. In all, I’ve been trying to help people with miscellaneous issues since I was a teenager.
Having been a life coach and now psychotherapist for a number of years, I see the value in independent practice. Likewise, I understand the significance of having supervisors to guide me if and when it’s necessary to access such resources.
According to page 224 of The REBT Therapist’s Pocket Companion (“Pocket Companion”), REBT practitioners are encouraged to seek regular supervision, peer supervision, and self-supervision. That’s a lot of supervision!
For instance, page 225 of the Pocket Companion alludes to countertransference and the utility of supervision as a means of processing unresolved emotions. As well, page 226 addresses use of supervision when experiencing clients who “pull’ different responses” from practitioners.
One imagines this is an allusion to so-called button-pushing whereby a client may seek to intentionally cause an REBT practitioner to self-disturb. Personally, use of REBT as a self-help structure is helpful for this sort of occurrence, something which is addressed on page 227.
Page 228 of the Pocket Companion challenges REBT practitioners who receive “non-REBT personal therapy” for their own problems. Regarding this matter, I stated in a blogpost entitled I’m My Own Mechanic that I resolve my own problems through use of REBT.
Nevertheless, if a scenario arises for which I need additional guidance, I have no problem seeking supervision. In fact, for those clients with whom I’ve used REBT for years, their infrequent check-ins also serve as a form of supervision that I would seek on my own if needed.
If you’re looking for a provider who works to help you understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life—helping you to sharpen your critical thinking skills, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.
As a psychotherapist, I’m pleased to help people with an assortment of issues ranging from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters.
At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply helping you to feel better, I want to help you get better!
Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW
References:
Cagle, M. (2022, April 5). What to expect during supervision. Mark Cagle LLC. Retrieved from https://lpcsupervisiontexas.com/what-expect-during-supervision/
Dryden, W. and Neenan, M. (2003). The REBT Therapist’s Pocket Companion. Albert Ellis Institute. Retrieved from https://www.pdfdrive.com/the-rebt-therapists-pocket-companion-d185164652.html
Hollings, D. (2024, May 30). Behavioral health care. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/behavioral-health-care
Hollings, D. (2024, January 10). Button-pushing. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/button-pushing
Hollings, D. (2022, March 15). Disclaimer. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/disclaimer
Hollings, D. (2023, October 12). Get better. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/get-better
Hollings, D. (n.d.). Hollings Therapy, LLC [Official website]. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/
Hollings, D. (2023, October 15). I’m my own mechanic. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/i-m-my-own-mechanic
Hollings, D. (2023, September 19). Life coaching. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/life-coaching
Hollings, D. (2023, September 3). On feelings. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/on-feelings
Hollings, D. (2024, May 5). Psychotherapist. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/psychotherapist
Hollings, D. (2022, March 24). Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT). Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/rational-emotive-behavior-therapy-rebt
Hollings, D. (2022, November 1). Self-disturbance. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/self-disturbance
Hollings, D. (2024, June 5). Self-help. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/self-help
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Countertransference. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Countertransference
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