What to Look for in a Clinical Supervisor as an MFTC in Colorado
By Madison Dennis
Clinical supervision is an essential part of the training process of becoming a licensed marriage and family therapist in Colorado. If you have recently graduated from a MFT masters program or are exploring new supervision options, you have come to the right place.
Finding the right supervisor for you can help you accelerate your growth and learning, deepen your clinical practice, build confidence in your skills, and work towards career goals. Like therapeutic relationships, the ‘X factor’ in supervision is the relationship between the supervisor and supervisee. It is important to find the best fit for you!
In order to find the best fit clinical supervisor for yourself, it is important to consider each of the following:
- License requirements
- Theoretical approach and clinical experience
- Professional goal alignment
- Financial and other lifestyle factors
License Requirements in Colorado
First, you will need to verify requirements with the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA). DORA dictates how many clinical and supervision hours you will need before you can apply for licensure. These requirements change from time to time so check with DORA for any recent updates. Initially you will apply for your MFT-C (marriage and family therapist candidate) through DORA before you begin working.
It is important to take into consideration which type of hours you are working towards, as MFT-Cs are required to obtain a minimum number of direct relational hours with couples and families, in addition to direct individual counseling hours. For example, if you have completed your individual hours and now need to work with couples and families, it would be helpful to seek out a supervisor who has experience or specialization in couples and families to support you.
Additionally, a mix of individual and group supervision is not only an option, but is recommended. In particular for marriage and family therapist candidates, group supervision gives you the opportunity to learn about and practice systems work in real time.
You will also need to consider who can supervise you. In Colorado, MFT-Cs can be supervised by: AAMFT certified supervisors; LMFT board approved supervisors; and LPCs, LCSWs, and LPs who have had specific training relevant to marriage and family therapy and been provided explicit permission by DORA to provide supervision to MFT-Cs.
Theoretical Approach and Clinical Experience
Choosing a LMFT supervisor who shares experience or specialization in the populations and theoretical orientations you feel drawn to can help meaningfully shape your experience and training. While exposure to different perspectives can be valuable, supervision is often most effective when your supervisor can support your growth within the framework you use most often.
A supervisor’s theoretical orientation naturally shapes the way they approach clinical supervision. Their framework influences how they conceptualize cases, formulate treatment goals, provide feedback, and encourage clinical decision-making.
Whether you practice from a psychodynamic, CBT, DBT, ACT, Gottman, systems, or IFS approach, alignment between you and your supervisor can help strengthen your skills, deepen your work with clients, and build clinical confidence.
Professional Goal Alignment
It is never too early to start envisioning the career you wish to have, even if you have just graduated. Identifying your professional goals will help you find a supervisor who can take your practice to the next level.
Whether you want to build a private practice, work in community mental health, found a non-profit organization, open a rehabilitation facility, or become a keynote speaker at a national conference, finding a supervisor who can support your professional growth and development is key. Supervisors not only provide clinical support, but can also help you work toward career objectives by providing practical advice based on their own experiences.
Financial and Other Lifestyle Factors
Finally, you will need to consider logistics and how supervision fits into your budget and lifestyle. Not every agency or group practice will offer in-house supervision or have an available supervisor that meets your specific needs. You may need to pay for supervision. It is important to find the best fit for you and your budget.
Additionally, you may also consider your lifestyle and if in-person or online supervision is the best fit for you based on your location, availability, and learning style.
How We Can Help
Firelight Supervision specializes in working with clinicians who come from diverse backgrounds, and offers a range of clinical supervisors, theoretical orientations, specializations, and experiences to meet your supervision needs. We offer both group and individual supervision for MFT-Cs, as well as clinical consultation for LMFTs and other licensed clinicians.
Author Bio
Madison Dennis is a licensed marriage and family therapist, clinical supervisor, and blogger with Firelight Supervision. Madison supports provisionally licensed and fully licensed therapists in moving past self-doubt and imposter syndrome to show up calm, confident, and connected with their clients. She specializes in adolescents, young adults, and families navigating intergenerational and developmental trauma, with clinical grounding in psychodynamic psychotherapy, DBT and CBT. Follow Firelight Supervision on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
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