Data as of Jul 25, 2026 · Based on 314 AI responses from ChatGPT Search and Google AI Mode · See how Parse measures this
If you want to filter for supervisors by specialty and licensure in your state, use Psychology Today or its Supervision Listings to find clinicians offering supervision (including LCSWs). If you need supervisors across multiple states, Mojozy connects supervisees with licensed supervisors nationwide. Always confirm supervisor availability, format, and fees directly.
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Best when you need to filter supervisors by specialty, licensure, or service within your state; Psychology Today lets you search for supervisors offering clinical supervision, including LCSWs. Caveat: you may need to contact clinicians to confirm availability.
Use when you want a focused list of clinicians who explicitly offer supervision in your state; the Supervision Listings highlight clinicians offering supervision including LCSWs. Caveat: evidence only shows state-based listings, not cross-state coverage.
Choose Mojozy if you need access to licensed supervisors across multiple states; Mojozy is described as connecting supervisees with licensed supervisors across all states. Caveat: the evidence gives a recommendation but not details on matching, format, or fees.
If you mean a new LCSW who is looking for a clinical supervisor for ongoing professional development/consultation, rather than supervision required to obtain the LCSW, I’d approach it a little differently. If you mean an LSW working toward the LCSW, the requirements are more specific.
The best approach is:
Start with your employer.
Ask whether they have an LCSW who can provide your required supervision. If they don't, ask whether they permit outside/off-site supervision. New Jersey specifically allows paid outside supervision, but there are documentation and employer-consent requirements.
Use the NASW-NJ Clinical Supervisor Directory.
This is probably the best starting point in NJ because the listed supervisors have completed the required supervision coursework and have at least three years of LCSW experience.
Ask experienced LCSWs for referrals.
Your graduate-school professors, former field instructors, colleagues, therapists in your professional network, and local social-work groups can be surprisingly good sources. I'd specifically ask: "Who would you recommend as a strong clinical supervisor for someone with my population and clinical interests?"
Choose for clinical fit—not just credentials.
Look for someone who has substantial experience with the population you treat and who practices in modalities you're interested in learning. A supervisor should be someone you can comfortably bring difficult cases, mistakes, ethical concerns, countertransference, and uncertainty to—not simply someone who signs paperwork.
Interview 3–5 supervisors.
Before committing, ask:
If you're still accumulating the 3,000 clinical hours toward your NJ LCSW, don't choose a supervisor based solely on the fact that they're an LCSW. NJ requires the supervisor to be an NJ-licensed LCSW with at least three years of LCSW experience and 20 hours of approved postgraduate clinical-supervision coursework. Supervision must generally be at least one hour per week.
The NJ Board also strongly recommends submitting a Proposed Plan of Supervised Clinical Experience before starting, because it gives you an opportunity to have the Board review whether the proposed supervision/work arrangement will qualify.
There are actually several local practices/providers advertising clinical supervision, including Walker-Graham & Associates, Daring Wellness in Cherry Hill, Core Counseling South Jersey in Voorhees, Jenna Cotton, LCSW in Moorestown, and Laurie Suttenberg+LCSW DCSW in Cherry Hill. These are potential leads rather than endorsements, and I'd verify their current NJ Board eligibility before counting any supervision toward licensure.
If you tell me (1) whether you're already an LCSW or are an LSW working toward it, (2) your clinical population/specialty, and (3) whether you want paid individual supervision or would consider a group, I can narrow this down to a good shortlist of supervisors in South Jersey/Philadelphia and compare them.
The best way for a new LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) to find a qualified clinical supervisor is to leverage state-specific registries, specialized matching platforms like the Clinical Supervision Directory , or local professional networks like the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) . Securing independent off-site or on-site supervision typically costs between $50 to $250 per hour for individual sessions, though many community mental health agencies, hospitals, or group private practices build free or subsidized supervision directly into employment packages.
Top Strategies to Find a Clinical Supervisor
Steps to Evaluate and Secure a Supervisor
If you share your state and your preferred clinical focus or specialty (such as trauma, children, or private practice growth), I can help you find specific regional registries or local resources to start your search.
If you're a new LCSW in New Jersey who is looking for clinical supervision, I’d approach it as a combination of regulatory due diligence + finding someone whose clinical style fits you. You don't necessarily need to take the first supervisor who has availability.
This is probably the best first stop in New Jersey. NASW-NJ maintains a statewide clinical supervisor directory specifically for people seeking supervision. Their listed supervisors have held an LCSW for at least three years and completed the required supervision training.
If you're employed at a hospital, agency, group practice, community mental health center, school, etc., ask:
Outside supervision is permitted in NJ, but your employer needs to consent and provide the appropriate documentation.
I'd interview 3–5 potential supervisors. You're looking for someone who has both the credentials and the clinical experience you want to develop.
Ask things like:
"What does a typical supervision session look like?"
"How do you approach a clinician who is struggling with a case?"
"How much of supervision is case consultation versus teaching theory/skills?"
"What populations and modalities do you have the most experience with?"
"How do you handle risk assessment, documentation, countertransference, and ethical dilemmas?"
"Do you provide feedback about my clinical weaknesses as well as strengths?"
"What happens if we disagree about a clinical decision?"
The last two questions are particularly important. Good supervision should be developmental, not just someone signing your paperwork.
For NJ clinical supervision, the supervisor must be an NJ-licensed LCSW, have been licensed at the clinical level for at least three years, and have completed at least 20 hours of approved post-graduate clinical-supervision coursework.
I'd actually ask to see documentation of the supervisor's 20-hour supervision training before beginning. NASW-NJ specifically recommends doing this because otherwise your hours could potentially become a problem later.
This is where I'd put a lot of weight.
For example, if you want to become excellent at:
Your supervisor doesn't have to practice exactly the way you do, but they should be able to stretch your clinical thinking.
There are also some local practices advertising supervision that you could investigate, including:
I'd treat these as leads rather than endorsements and independently verify that the particular person you would work with meets current NJ Board requirements.
If by "new LCSW" you mean you just obtained your LCSW and are looking for supervision to become a better clinician, rather than supervision required to obtain the LCSW, your options are much broader. You don't necessarily need a supervisor who meets the NJ LCSW-candidate supervision requirements—you can seek a mentor/consultant/supervisor based primarily on clinical expertise and fit.
If you're actually an LSW working toward the NJ LCSW, that's different: NJ requires 3,000 hours of supervised clinical social work, with specific requirements concerning client contact, psychotherapy, and supervision.
My recommendation: identify 5 potential supervisors, schedule brief consultation calls with 3, and choose based on clinical expertise + teaching ability + interpersonal fit, not simply price or convenience. A supervisor is one of the biggest influences on your early clinical development, so it's worth being selective.
Finding the right clinical supervisor is one of the most important milestones for a new Associate/LCSW working toward independent licensure. Because a good supervisor shapes your clinical lens and professional safety, you want to approach the search methodically.
Here are the best ways to find a qualified, compatible clinical supervisor:
If you'd like, let me know:
I can give you more tailored advice on what specific questions to ask during a supervision interview.
For a new LCSW (or someone working toward independent clinical licensure), the best way to find a clinical supervisor is to treat it like finding a professional mentor—not just filling a requirement. A strong match can shape your clinical style, confidence, and career direction.
Here are the most effective approaches:
Your state board is often the most reliable place to verify who is eligible to provide supervision. Requirements vary widely by state (for example, some require specific supervision training or a certain number of years post-licensure).
Your state chapter of the National Association of Social Workers may have a clinical supervision directory or referral program. Some chapters maintain lists of LCSWs who provide supervision, and some offer matching services.
Personal referrals are often the highest-quality route. Ask:
A good question is:
“Who provided supervision that genuinely helped you grow as a clinician?”
Look for someone who matches the kind of clinician you want to become:
A supervisor who understands your population and treatment approach can be much more useful than someone who simply has an opening.
Do not choose the first person who responds. Ask about:
Some social work organizations specifically recommend interviewing potential supervisors and evaluating fit, accessibility, expectations, and supervision experience.
Many clinicians receive supervision through their employer, but some seek outside supervisors when workplace supervision is unavailable or does not meet their learning needs. naswde.socialworkers.org Paid supervision is common, especially for clinicians in private practice or agencies without qualified supervisors.
Look for someone who:
✅ Gives thoughtful feedback (not just case updates)
✅ Encourages independent clinical judgment
✅ Discusses ethics, boundaries, and countertransference
✅ Helps you build confidence without making decisions for you
✅ Has ongoing training and supervision experience
Be cautious if a supervisor:
❌ Focuses only on paperwork or hours
❌ Rarely reviews cases in depth
❌ Is difficult to reach during crises when your state requires availability
❌ Does not have clear expectations or a supervision contract
❌ Makes you feel afraid to bring up mistakes or uncertainty
If you tell me your state, whether you need post-MSW hours toward LCSW or ongoing consultation after licensure, and your clinical area (therapy, medical, schools, etc.), I can suggest more targeted places to look.
Finding the right clinical supervisor is one of the most important steps in your transition from a master's-level social worker to an independently licensed LCSW . The "best" way isn't a single action, but a multi-pronged approach that balances your state board's strict legal requirements with finding a mentor whose clinical style fits your growth.
The most effective, step-by-step framework to find a qualified and compatible clinical supervisor includes:
If you'd like, let me know:
I can give you more targeted ideas on where to look in your region!
The best clinical supervisor is usually not simply the first qualified person you find—it's someone whose clinical style, teaching approach, and experience align with the type of clinician you want to become.
Here are the approaches that tend to work best:
Start with your state NASW chapter or licensing board. Many states maintain supervisor directories or approved supervisor lists. For example, the Virginia chapter of NASW offers a Qualified Supervisor Directory for clinicians seeking supervision.
Ask your graduate program. MSW programs often keep informal lists of alumni and field instructors who provide supervision. Even a few years after graduation, faculty are often willing to make introductions.
Network through your workplace. If your employer doesn't provide supervision, ask experienced LCSWs where they received supervision or who they recommend. Word-of-mouth referrals often lead to better matches than online directories.
Interview several supervisors. Think of supervision as a professional partnership. Schedule 15–30 minute consultation calls with 3–5 supervisors before deciding.
During those conversations, ask questions like:
One practical tip from many social workers is to contact more supervisors than you think you'll need. Good supervisors often have waiting lists, and some directories aren't completely up to date. People frequently report that reaching out to 10–20 supervisors is normal before finding the right fit.
If you're comfortable sharing what state you're licensed in, I can point you to the most relevant supervisor directory and explain any state-specific supervision requirements.
Finding the right clinical supervisor as a new MSW/associate (working toward your LCSW) requires balancing state board requirements, clinical alignment, and cost . Because many modern agencies do not provide adequate or independent in-house clinical supervision, finding an outside professional is a common rite of passage.
The best approach is multi-layered, combining official directories, targeted networking, and careful vetting.
Before hunting for a person, verify your state’s specific board rules (e.g., the California Board of Behavioral Sciences or equivalent state board) regarding who qualifies as an approved supervisor.
Professional networks designed for mental health clinicians are one of the most reliable pipelines for finding independent supervisors.
Treat the initial meeting as a mutual interview. A supervisor isn't just someone who signs your hours; they are a critical mentor for your clinical foundation. Be sure to ask:
If you want to narrow this down, let me know:
I can help point you toward the exact state resources or directories to check first.
If you're newly licensed (or newly registered as an associate working toward licensure, depending on your state), the most effective approach is to combine networking, professional directories, and careful vetting. The goal is to find a supervisor who is both qualified and a good clinical fit—not just someone who can sign off on hours.
Here are the strategies that tend to work best:
Start with your employer. Many community mental health agencies, hospitals, and group practices provide supervision as part of employment. If they don't, ask whether they reimburse outside supervision or maintain a list of approved supervisors. Community feedback suggests that employer-provided supervision is still the most common route.
Use your state licensing board's resources. Many licensing boards publish supervisor qualifications, supervision guides, and sometimes referrals or professional organizations that maintain supervisor lists. If you're in California, the California Board of Behavioral Sciences provides guidance on supervisor qualifications and supervision requirements.
Contact your MSW program. Most schools of social work keep informal lists of alumni and field instructors who provide supervision, even years after graduation.
Reach out to your state chapter of the social work association. Organizations such as state chapters of the National Association of Social Workers often have networking events, listservs, or consultation groups where supervisors are recommended by colleagues.
Search therapist directories. Many supervisors advertise through directories such as Psychology Today or TherapyDen, where you can filter by specialty, population served, and supervision availability.
Network intentionally. Attend continuing education events, consultation groups, local social work meetups, or professional Facebook and LinkedIn groups. Personal recommendations often lead to the strongest supervision relationships.
When you've identified potential supervisors, schedule a consultation and ask questions like:
A good supervisor should help you develop clinical reasoning, ethical decision-making, and confidence—not simply verify hours.
If you're paying privately, expect rates to vary widely by location and experience. It's worth asking whether the supervisor offers:
One question that often gets overlooked is, "What kinds of clinicians thrive under your supervision?" Their answer can tell you a lot about whether your working styles are compatible.
If you tell me what state you're in (or country, if outside the U.S.), I can point you toward the most relevant supervisor directories and professional organizations for your area.
Finding a clinical supervisor is a critical step for a new Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or LMSW pursuing independent licensure. The best approaches involve leveraging professional networks, using specialized online directories, and tapping into state licensing resources.
Here are the most effective methods, according to social work professionals and resources:
Top Tips for Selection
To help you narrow this down, are you looking for: