Why this Price is Right: 10 Things That Contribute to Cost of Clinical Supervision

It’s not uncommon for supervisees to balk at the cost of securing private clinical supervision. In fact, it can feel downright unaffordable. Yet there are multiple factors that go into the price tag of supervision that we think are worth outlining here, in order to support supervisees in their decision-making process when selecting a supervisor for the professional supervision relationship.

The reason clinical supervision can feel expensive is because it is. It is an investment for both the supervisor and supervisee to engage in a clinical supervision relationship. The 10th reason supervision is costly? The supervisor’s license is on the line. The supervisee is willingly engaging in this relationship to work towards skills development while having the peace of mind that they have support through client crisis, all while getting hours signed off for eventual licensure. 

It goes without saying that when you select a supervisor, you are investing in your clinical supervision experience including case consultation, therapeutic guidance, and legal protection as an unlicensed professional. To become a professional counselor is costly. There’s the masters degree, the trainings, and the post-licensure hours. Why wouldn’t supervision reflect that effort to become a trusted professional in the field of mental health?

So next time it’s asked why supervision is costly, please explore the emotional and professional costs to both supervisor and supervisee. You may just get what you pay for.