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Employment & Clinical Supervision

"Grow, Lead, and Make an Impact — The VCPS Way."

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Graduate Student Training & Supervision

At VCPS, we believe in investing in the future of the mental health field by offering high-quality supervision and training to graduate students pursuing careers in counseling, social work, and psychology. By supporting the next generation of clinicians, we help expand access to care while fostering a strong culture of learning, collaboration, and clinical excellence within our practice. This commitment also benefits our community by increasing the availability of affordable therapy services and bringing fresh, diverse perspectives into the therapeutic space. All student clinicians work under the close supervision of licensed professionals to ensure the highest standards of care.

  • ↬  Clinical Professional Counseling 
    ↬  Clinical Mental Health Counseling
    ↬  Clinical Forensic Psychology (Counseling licensure track)
    ↬  Clinical Social Work (Approved by Walden as honorary instructor)
    ↬  Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Master’s level students)
    ↬  Community Health Counseling
    ↬  And more! Reach out if you think your degree program is a good fit for supervision at VCPS.

We Offer High-Quality Supervision & Training on the Following Competencies:

Clinical Foundations

↬  Training in DSM-5-TR diagnosis, differential assessment, and integrative case formulation
↬  Collaborative treatment planning with measurable goals and outcomes tracking (e.g., PHQ-9, GAD-7)
↬  Documentation skills including progress notes, risk assessments, and treatment plans
↬  Clinical exposure to diverse populations (children 8+, adolescents, adults, families)
↬  Skill-building in managing transference, therapeutic rupture/repair, and professional boundaries
↬  Risk assessment training including suicide, self-harm, and mandated reporting procedures

Evidence-Informed Modalities

↬  BT, DBT (advanced), EMDR (advanced), IFS, SFBT

↬  Psychodynamic, ACT, Person-Centered, Mindfulness-Based, Trauma-Informed, and Existential Therapy
↬ Emphasis on flexibility, matching modality to patient needs

Cultural Responsiveness & Ethics

↬  Multicultural case formulation and culturally responsive communication

↬  HIPAA compliance, informed consent, mandated reporting, and telehealth ethics
↬  Supervision on boundary-setting, dual relationships, and ethical decision-making

Neuroscience & Psychopharmacology

↬  Education on brain systems (HPA axis, limbic system, prefrontal cortex) relevant to mental health

↬  Overview of common psychotropic medications, clinical indications, and side effect monitoring
↬  Psychoeducation strategies and integration of neurodevelopmental principles in treatment

Professional Development & Licensure

↬  Weekly supervision and interdisciplinary case consultation

↬  Support with licensure hours, exams (NCE, EPPP, ASWB), and professional identity development
↬  Burnout prevention, reflective practice, and documentation using EHR systems like SimplePractice

Supervisee Responsibilities at VCPS

As part of our clinical training model, supervisees at the Virginia Center for Psychological Services (VCPS) are expected to uphold high standards of professionalism, clinical accuracy, and ethical care. Supervision is a collaborative process, and the following responsibilities reflect the foundational expectations we hold for all graduate-level trainees.

  • ↬  Maintain a current understanding of DSM-5-TR and ICD-10 diagnostic systems, basic psychotropic medication categories, and crisis intervention strategies relevant to patient safety and stabilization.
    ↬  Accurately identify clinical symptoms and patterns, and apply differential diagnostic reasoning based on patient presentation, history, and standardized assessments.
    ↬  Develop individualized treatment plans that include realistic goals, measurable objectives, and appropriate therapeutic interventions, informed by clinical data and patient collaboration.

  • ↬  Provide affirming and inclusive care to patients of diverse racial, cultural, gender, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
    ↬  Demonstrate awareness of systemic factors, identity-based stressors, and culturally responsive adaptations to treatment planning and communication.
    ↬  Follow all ethical guidelines, privacy laws (HIPAA), and state and federal regulations that govern clinical mental health practice in Virginia.

  • ↬  Communicate professionally in both written and verbal formats across all aspects of clinical care, supervision, and team collaboration.
    ↬  Complete accurate and clinically meaningful documentation for each session, including progress notes, diagnostic assessments, and treatment updates. Notes must include interventions used, patient response, plan for next steps, and alignment with treatment goals.
    ↬  Submit all clinical documentation no later than Sundays at 6:00 PM, unless otherwise arranged with your supervisor.

    ↬  Use the SimplePractice electronic health record system to manage all clinical notes, treatment plans, and patient communications in a HIPAA-compliant manner.

    ↬  Maintain organized, complete, and timely records to ensure clinical continuity, supervisor oversight, and ethical accountability.

  • ↬  Attend all scheduled individual and group supervision sessions, prepared to engage in case consultation, skills development, and reflective discussion.
    ↬  Accept and integrate supervisory feedback in a way that fosters clinical growth, ethical sensitivity, and personal insight.
    ↬  Remain in good academic and professional standing, and fulfill all training requirements outlined by your graduate program and state licensing board.

    ↬  Stay informed of any continuing education, legal updates, or field-specific standards that apply to your area of training and future licensure.

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Requirements & Getting Started

We’re excited that you’re interested in completing your clinical training at the Virginia Center for Psychological Services (VCPS). Our supervision program is designed to provide rigorous, supportive training to help you grow into a confident and ethically grounded clinician. Please review the following requirements and steps to begin the application process.

  • To be considered for a supervision placement at VCPS, applicants must:

    ↬  Be enrolled in a graduate program in counseling, social work, psychology, or a related mental health field
    ↬  Be in good academic standing and eligible for clinical placement as outlined by their university or program
    ↬  Demonstrate strong interpersonal skills, professionalism, and a commitment to ethical, culturally responsive practice
    ↬  Be available for at least 12-24 hours per week of clinical and training activities including some evenings and/or weekends (exact schedule varies by program level)
    ↬  Be able to commit to a minimum of two academic semesters or one calendar year of placement, depending on training level
    ↬  Have access to reliable internet and a private, confidential space if participating in telehealth service delivery

  • To begin the application process, please submit the following materials to jthapa@vcps.co:

    ↬  Current résumé or CV
    ↬  Unofficial graduate transcript
    ↬  Three letters of recommendation from professors, clinical supervisors, or other relevant professional contacts
    ↬  A brief cover email indicating your program, expected placement timeline, and any areas of clinical interest

  • ↬  Qualified applicants will be contacted for an interview (phone, virtual, or in-person) with a VCPS supervisor

    ↬  Accepted trainees will receive a formal offer outlining start date, required documents, and onboarding instructions

    ↬  You’ll complete a brief orientation and begin scheduling supervision and clinical hours ​

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