What happens when supervision feels intimidating, chaotic, or “too big” to take on?

In this episode, Dr. Ashley Stevens and I pull back the curtain on the early days of supervising: what we didn’t know, what caught us off guard, and why becoming a supervisor is more doable (and more meaningful) than it first appears. From unexpected gaps in supervisee education to the business acumen no one warns you about, we break down the essentials every new supervisor needs to hear.

The myth is that supervision unfolds like a tidy classroom with learners who grow at the same pace. The truth? Your supervisees will span ages, backgrounds, life paths, and competencies. This wide range is part of the joy. When supervisors let go of rigid expectations and ground themselves in experience, structure, and curiosity, supervision becomes a collaborative, energizing process rather than something to fear.

Supervision is also leadership. That means stepping into your authority, addressing tough supervisee dynamics directly, and recognizing that you’re not training employees, you’re growing future colleagues and referral partners. The sooner new supervisors embrace clarity, boundaries, and business savvy, the sooner they protect themselves and serve their supervisees well.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why supervisees arrive with wildly different levels of training, and how to meet them where they are.
• The business mindset every supervisor needs: from money boundaries to the real-world questions supervisees will inevitably ask.
• How to avoid rookie supervisor mistakes like pigeonholing your niche or over-assuming competence.
• Why community matters and how joining supervisor networks combats isolation and burnout.

Ready to grow your confidence as a supervisor and develop the next generation of clinicians? Subscribe for more step-by-step conversations on supervision, leadership, and building practices that thrive.

If you’re ready to lead with confidence, join the 2026 Supervisor Course waitlist for early access to bonus tools, templates, and fast-track grading. Strengthen your systems today with the free Supervision Onboarding Checklist, and get ongoing CEUs and live coaching inside the Step It Up Membership. You’re not just building a practice, you’re building a legacy.

Get your step by step guide to private practice. Because you are too important to lose to not knowing the rules, going broke, burning out, and giving up. #counselorsdontquit.