NASW does not maintain a list of qualified clinical supervisors—and neither does any other agency. However, there are several strategies that applicants can use to find a qualified supervisor. It is important to note that even if your workplace meets the legal requirements for accruing clinical hours, a qualified supervisor may not be available through your employer. In such cases, you may need to locate and pay an external supervisor for clinical supervision.

 

First, applicants should determine what type of clinical work with which client group and in what specific geographic area they will be focused. Once applicants have identified the type of setting (e.g., school, medical, forensic, substance abuse, mental health, oncology, hospice); client group (children, adolescents, adults, elderly); and geographic location (within 15-, 20-, 25-, or 30-mile radius), they can do the following:

 

  • Network with colleagues, other applicants, and professionals to inquire about job openings and/or qualified supervisors.
  • Network with NASW-CA Chapter volunteer leaders and members in one or more of the nine geographic regions that make up the CA state chapter. Regions and units (units are smaller groups within the geographic region) allow folks to get involved at the local level. For details, visit http://www.naswca.org/page/ca-region-unit-activities. The regions and unit generally have Facebook pages in which they market events, and visitors can find information and communicate with other social workers—potential supervisors. FYI: Individuals do not have to be a NASW member to attend meetings and events but NASW members receive discounts on events, conferences, online and live classes including mandated pre-license coursework.
  • Network through NASW-CA Chapter social media such as LinkedIn. For details, visit https://www.naswca.org/page/nasw-ca-region-unit-social-media.
  • Check out the NASW-CA Chapter virtual online newsletter, which includes classified ads for jobs and those wishing to be clinical supervisors. For example, the classified ads at http://naswcanews.org/category/classifieds/. The classified ads change frequently.
  • You can look for a supervisor through several Internet tools that helps the public search for a therapist. There are several in which visitors search by zip code and area of expertise—in your case, a clinical supervisor. One example is: http://www.helpstartshere.org/helpstartshere/?page_id=3677.
  • Additionally, you may wish to check with the Clinical SW Society at https://www.clinicalsocialworksociety.org/.