Your First 90 Days as an LPC Associate (A Checklist)

You passed your exams. You got your associate license. And now you are sitting there wondering what on earth you are supposed to do first.

I remember that feeling. How am I going to talk to someone for 50 minutes? Will I get any clients? How do I handle marketing? Nobody hands you a map, so let's build one together.

Here is a simple checklist for your first 90 days as an LPC associate. Take what helps and leave the rest.

Before you see your first client

This is the boring part, and it is the part that protects you. Do these before anyone sits down on your couch.

• Get your supervision agreement in writing. Fees, meeting schedule, how hours get signed off, and what happens if either of you wants out. If you are still choosing a supervisor, start with How to Find a Good LPC Supervisor.

• Set up liability insurance. Even if your employer has coverage, ask what it covers and whether you want your own policy. Get the answer in writing.

• Decide how you will track your hours. Pick one system, a spreadsheet or an app, and use it from day one. Log hours the same day, because "I'll catch up on Friday" turns into a nightmare at month three.

• Keep copies of everything. Your agreement, your approval letters, your signed hour logs. Store them somewhere safe that is not just your work computer.

• Know your board's rules. Read your state board's requirements for associates yourself, even if your supervisor knows them. It is your license.

Days 1 to 30: Get set up and get comfortable asking for help

Your first month is about building habits, not being perfect.

Set up your notes. Pick a note format and learn it. Write notes the same day while the session is fresh. Messy and finished beats perfect and three days late.

Start building your caseload. Start small if you can. A few well-matched clients will teach you more than a full schedule you are barely holding together. If your site assigns clients, speak up early if a case is outside what you feel ready for.

Practice asking for help. This is the big one. You will have moments where you do not know what to do. Write your questions down as they come, and bring them to supervision. Call or message your supervisor between sessions when it is urgent. A good supervisor wants that, and a good associate is one who asks.

Build one support person. Find someone at your own level, a peer who is also in the in-between years, and check in regularly. This is a big reason I created The After Hours. It is easier to laugh, vent, and ask "is this normal?" with people who are living it too.

Days 31 to 60: Your first real check-in

By now you have a rhythm, and you probably have a few things you want to change.

Schedule a review with your supervisor. Do not wait for them to bring it up. Ask: What am I doing well? Where should I grow? Are my notes where they need to be? Is my caseload the right mix?

Look at your hours. Are you on track to hit your requirements in the time frame you want? If you are behind, now is the time to adjust, not month ten.

Notice what drains you. Which clients, tasks, or situations leave you wiped out? That is useful information about your limits and your interests. Bring it to supervision and, if needed, to your own therapy.

Adjust one thing. Pick one change, like a better note template or a firmer boundary around your lunch break. One change that sticks is worth more than ten you abandon.

Days 61 to 90: Look ahead

You have survived the beginning. Now start thinking about the year.

Map out your hours. Count how many you have, how many you need, and about when you will finish. Put a rough date on the calendar.

Name what you want to learn. A population? A modality? A certification? Pick one thing to move toward this year.

Plan your self-care before you need it. Burnout rarely shows up with a warning. Decide now what your limits are, when you will take time off, and who you will talk to when things get heavy.

Celebrate. Seriously. Ninety days of seeing clients, taking notes, and showing up is a big deal. Write down three things you are proud of.

You do not have to do this alone

The first 90 days are easier with people who understand. If you want a place to ask questions, compare notes, and feel less alone, come join The After Hours ✨ , a free community for prelicensed therapists. It is a verified Discord space for practicum students, interns, associates, and anyone on the road to LPC, LMFT, or LCSW.

Inside, you will also find the Counseling Binder, a growing library of clinical resources I built to help you in the room. Come take a look.

Frequently asked questions

What should I do first as a new LPC associate? Get your supervision agreement in writing, confirm your liability coverage, and set up a system to track your hours before you see your first client.

How often should I meet with my supervisor? It depends on your board's requirements and your agreement. Whatever the minimum is, ask for what you actually need, and speak up if you need more support.

Is it normal to feel overwhelmed in the first few months? Yes. Almost everyone does. Feeling unsure is part of the developmental phase of becoming a therapist, and it does not mean you are doing it wrong.

This post is general education and not legal or licensure advice. Always confirm requirements with your state licensing board.

How to Find a Good LPC Supervisor (and the Red Flags to Avoid)

Written from a Texas LPC perspective. Requirements differ by state, so check with your own licensing board before you sign anything.

When I think back on my own early years, the thing that shaped me most was not my caseload or my training. It was my supervisor. A good one made me a braver, more thoughtful clinician. A bad fit made me doubt myself for months. My supervisor was very supportive and great at clinical work. She was always there to answer my questions when needed.

If you are searching for how to find an LPC supervisor, you are doing exactly the right thing. This choice matters more than most people realize, and nobody really teaches you how to make it. So let's walk through it.

Why the supervisor match matters

Your supervisor is not just someone who signs your hours. For a couple of years, they are the person you bring your hardest cases, your biggest mistakes, and your 11 p.m. "is this a reportable situation?" questions to.

A good match means you learn faster, you feel safe admitting what you do not know, and your hours get documented without drama. A poor match can slow your licensure, drain your confidence, and sometimes cost you money you did not plan to spend.

Where to look

You do not have to find someone cold. Start here:

• Your state board's list. Many boards publish a directory of approved supervisors. In Texas, your supervisor must hold the LPC-S credential.

• Your employer or practice. Some group practices include supervision. Ask whether it is part of your pay or an extra cost.

• Your grad program or practicum site. Professors and site supervisors often know who is trustworthy in your area.

• Peer communities. Other prelicensed clinicians will tell you things a website never will. This is one of the reasons I built The After Hours, a free community for prelicensed therapists where people compare notes honestly.

• Full Circle Supervisor Directory: something I am in the process of building

What to ask in a first conversation

Treat the first call like an interview, because it is one. You are choosing them too. Here is what I would ask:

1. What is your supervision style? Some supervisors are very hands-on and others are more consultative. Neither is wrong, but you should know which you are signing up for.

2. What is your availability? How often will we meet, and what happens if I need you between sessions?

3. What does it cost? Ask for the full fee, how it is billed, and what happens if a session is canceled.

4. How do you sign off on hours? Ask how often hours are reviewed and signed, and how quickly you get your documentation back.

5. What is your experience with my population? If you work with kids, trauma, or couples, ask whether they have worked in that space.

6. How do you handle disagreements? You want to hear that they can take feedback and talk things through.

Pay attention to how you feel after the call. Did you feel respected? Did they answer clearly? Did you feel rushed? Your gut is useful information.

What belongs in a supervision agreement

Get it in writing, always. A solid supervision agreement should spell out:

• The fee and payment schedule

• How often you will meet, and in what format (individual, group, virtual)

• How and when your hours will be signed off

• What happens if either of you wants to end the arrangement, including notice time

• How emergencies and urgent questions are handled

• Confidentiality and documentation expectations

If a supervisor does not want to put these things in writing, that tells you something before you have even started.

Red flags to watch for

None of these automatically mean a supervisor is bad, but all of them deserve a closer look.

• Unclear fees. If you cannot get a straight answer about cost, or the price keeps changing, walk away.

• Hours withheld. Your supervisor should not hold your signed hours hostage over a payment dispute or a disagreement.

• No written agreement. Verbal promises disappear. Paperwork protects both of you.

• Hard to reach. If they take days to reply during the interview stage, imagine how it will feel when you have a client in crisis.

• Shaming or dismissive feedback. Challenge is good. Humiliation is not.

• Pressure to take clients you do not feel ready for, or discouragement from seeking consultation elsewhere.

What I tell associates all the time is this: you are allowed to ask questions, and you are allowed to leave a situation that does not feel right. Good supervisors welcome questions.

You do not have to figure this out alone

Finding a supervisor can feel isolating, especially when everyone else seems to already have one lined up. It is a normal part of the in-between years, and plenty of people are navigating it with you.

If you want support while you search, come hang out in The After Hours, a free community for prelicensed therapists. It is a verified Discord space for practicum students, interns, associates, and anyone on the road to LPC, LMFT, or LCSW. Ask your questions, compare notes, and feel a little less alone while you work toward your license.

Frequently asked questions

Can I switch supervisors if it is not a good fit? Often yes, but the process depends on your state board and your agreement. Check your agreement for notice requirements, and make sure your hours up to that point are signed off before you transition.

How much does LPC supervision usually cost? It varies a lot by location, format, and whether supervision is included through an employer. Ask for the full cost in writing before you commit, and compare a few options if you can.

Do I really need a written supervision agreement? Yes. A written agreement protects both you and your supervisor, and many boards expect one. Even if yours does not require it, ask for it anyway.

This post is general education and not legal or licensure advice. Always confirm requirements with your state licensing board.