Become an Oregon-Approved Supervisor

Importance of Supervision

Taking on the role of a clinical supervisor means stepping into a powerful position. You shape the future of social work by making a difference with every CSWA you supervise.

1) Licensing:  You must be one of the following:

• A Licensed Clinical Social Worker
  

• An Oregon-licensed Clinical Psychologist (may provide up to half of the required supervision hours)

• An Oregon-licensed Psychiatrist (may provide up to half of the required supervision hours)
  

• Licensed Professional Counselor

• Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
  

2) Experience:  You must have at least two years of licensed clinical practice before you begin supervising an associate.

3) License Status:  You must hold an Active or Semi-Retired Oregon license. Your license must be kept current through renewal and continuing education every two years.

4) Supervision Training:  Before you begin supervising, you must have at least 15 hours of continuing education in supervision techniques completed within the last 5 years. Report those hours to the Board. 

You must also complete at least 6 hours of continuing education in supervision every 5 years after that. See the Continuing Education page for a list of approved credentialing bodies.

5) Oregon Rules and Laws Exam:  You must have passed the Oregon Rules and Laws Exam within the last 5 years. And again every 5 years thereafter.

6) Clinical Competence:  You must be qualified in the clinical areas where the CSWA will practice. You must also be experienced working with the same client populations the CSWA will serve.

7) No Conflict of Interest:  You cannot be any of the following in relation to the CSWA:

• A spouse or relative

• A person with a close personal relationship

• A former therapist
  

What a supervisor is expected to learn and understand: 

1. Supervision plan requirements

2. Supervision reports and final evaluation requirements

3. Required hours and time frames
   

4. Supervision meeting requirements
   

5. How to handle interruptions to supervision

6. Ethical and professional social work responsibilities

7. Accurate record keeping

8. Supervision content coverage related to field of clinical social work
   

For additional details on each of the above items, please use the Oregon BLSW Website: CSWA Information Page to learn more about your responsibilities as a supervisor, and what an associate is also responsible to complete.

Clinical Practice Content

Supervision may address clinical skill development, including:

• Commitment to high-quality client service
  

• Assessment and identification of client concerns

• Application of ethics when values conflict
  

• Critical thinking and curiosity in practice
  

• Understanding human behavior and social environments
  

• Developing, implementing, and evaluating treatment plans
  

• Use of appropriate therapeutic interventions
  

• Managing and ending professional relationships appropriately
  

• Maintaining clinical and professional boundaries
  

• Recognizing how the Associate's strengths and limitations affect services
  

• Using self-awareness to improve clinical effectiveness
  

Supervising Clinical Social Work Associates (CSWAs) presentation by former Executive Director, Randy Harnisch: Supervising CSWA's