You've Graduated Social Work School, Now You Wanna Be Your Own Boss? Buckle Up, Buttercup: LISW Supervision Hours in Ohio
So you've conquered social work school, aced your exams, and now you're itching to ditch the training wheels and become a Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) in Ohio. Hold your horses, social work superhero! There's one more hurdle to jump: supervision hours.
How Many Supervision Hours For Lisw Ohio |
The Lowdown on LISW Supervision in Ohio: It's Not About Counting Sheep (Thank Goodness)
Forget logging all-nighters cramming for finals. LISW supervision is about racking up quality hours with a seasoned social work pro, an LISW-S (Licensed Independent Social Worker with Supervision Designation) to be exact. Think of it as like social work Jedi training, but with less lightsabers and more case management.
Here's the gist:
- You gotta clock in at least 150 hours of face-to-face supervision spread out over two whole years (24 months, to be precise).
- These supervision sessions should ideally happen every 20 hours of work you do. Basically, for every fifth day you spend working that social work magic, you should be carving out some time with your LISW-S for guidance and support.
Why So Many Hours? Because becoming an independent social worker is a big deal! You want to make sure you're prepared to handle anything your clients throw your way, from navigating complex situations to mastering the art of awkward silences (it's a skill, trust us).
Tip: Don’t skim past key examples.
Supervision Shenanigans: It's More Than Just Chatting About Clients (But That's Important Too)
Don't worry, these supervision sessions won't be like endless therapy sessions for you. Sure, you'll be discussing your clients and their challenges, but that's just the tip of the iceberg. Here's a sneak peek at what you can expect:
- Sharpening Your Social Work Skills: Think of your LISW-S as your personal social work sensei, helping you hone your skills, address any knowledge gaps, and basically turn you into a social work rockstar.
- Ethical Dilemmas? Bring 'Em On!: The social work world can get messy sometimes. Your LISW-S will be there to guide you through ethical tightropes and help you make sound decisions for your clients and yourself.
- Adulting 101 for Social Workers: Being an LISW isn't just about helping others; it's about running your own practice (or working independently within an agency). Supervision can be your chance to learn the ropes of documentation, billing, and all that other grown-up stuff.
Remember: Supervision is a two-way street. Don't be shy about asking questions, voicing concerns, and soaking up all the wisdom your LISW-S has to offer.
FAQ: LISW Supervision Edition (The Cliff Notes Version)
How to find an LISW-S?
Tip: Jot down one takeaway from this post.
- Check with your social work school or local professional organizations.
- You can also search online directories maintained by social work associations.
How much supervision do I need per session?
There's no magic number, but most supervision sessions typically last for an hour or so.
Can I do group supervision?
QuickTip: Reread tricky spots right away.
You bet! Group supervision can be a fantastic way to learn from your peers and share experiences. However, some of your supervision hours still need to be individual.
What if I work part-time?
If you're rocking the part-time social work life, there's a limit. You can only accrue a maximum of 1,500 hours of supervised experience in your first year.
QuickTip: Check if a section answers your question.
I graduated social work school outside of Ohio. Does my supervision still count?
Maybe! Contact the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker & Marriage and Family Therapist Board (https://cswmft.ohio.gov/get-licensed/social-workers) to see if your out-of-state supervision hours can be applied.
So there you have it, future LISW of Ohio! Now that you're armed with this knowledge, you can conquer those supervision hours and become the independent social work force you were meant to be. Just remember, with great social work independence comes great responsibility...and probably a lot of paperwork. But hey, at least you won't have to answer to anyone but yourself (and maybe your LISW-S every now and then).