Clinical Supervisor Training in California

Program Structure: Foundational Training Plus Supervised Practice

The Deliberate Practice Supervision Training Program includes foundational training in the core principles of DP supervision, the Sentio Supervision Model, and the mechanics of video-based feedback, followed by weekly supervised practice that runs about six months in the 6-month track and a full year in the 12-month track. Participants provide two hours per week of individual, videotaped supervision to MFT trainees who are providing online therapy through the Sentio Counseling Center. Participants also attend one hour per week of group mentoring, during which they receive feedback on their own supervision videos and engage in group DP skill-building exercises. Each participant supervises two trainees who work under their license and is responsible for the standard work of clinical supervision, including evaluations. The total weekly time commitment is approximately three hours. All training and supervision is conducted online.

Cost: Free Supervisor Training Through Work-Trade

The DP Supervision Training Program is offered at no cost through a work-trade arrangement. Supervisors provide clinical supervision to Sentio Counseling Center trainees in exchange for advanced training, weekly mentoring, CE credits, and DP Supervisor certification. There is no tuition, no application fee, and no hidden cost. Most comparable supervisor training programs charge over $2,000 for far fewer hours of instruction and no ongoing mentorship. Sentio's model is free because supervision is integral to Sentio's program, and training excellent supervisors directly benefits the quality of care that clients receive.

Free Training Resources from Sentio University

Even before applying to the training program, licensed supervisors and other mental health professionals can access a growing library of free Deliberate Practice training tools through the Sentio Innovation Lab. Resources include DP exercise instructions and demonstration videos for multiple therapeutic modalities:

• Schema Therapy
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
• Motivational Interviewing
• Interpersonal Psychotherapy
• Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT)
• Multicultural Orientation
• Therapist Inner Skills

Additional resources include recorded webinars on Deliberate Practice and AI in mental health, and information about the Therapist Throwdown, a live demonstration event designed to normalize showing clinical work and receiving constructive feedback. All Innovation Lab materials are released under an open-source format and are free for use by clinicians, supervisors, and training programs worldwide.

Browse free Deliberate Practice exercises and videos

Frequently Asked Questions About MFT Supervisor Training

What is Deliberate Practice in clinical supervision?
Deliberate Practice is a research-backed training method, originally studied by K. Anders Ericsson, that builds skill through targeted repetition, expert feedback, and progressive difficulty. In supervision it means moving beyond case discussion to structured skill rehearsal, video review of therapy sessions, and measurable outcome tracking. The Sentio Supervision Model is one of the first published frameworks for applying these principles to clinical supervision.

Is the supervisor training program really free?
Yes. There is no tuition, no application fee, and no cost of any kind, in either the 6-month or the 12-month track. The program runs on a work-trade arrangement: you provide supervised clinical hours to Sentio Counseling Center trainees, and in return you receive advanced training, weekly mentoring, CE credits, and preparation to apply for DP Supervisor certification. Comparable programs typically charge more than $2,000 for fewer hours and no ongoing mentoring.

How many CE credits does the program provide?
The 12-month track provides up to 50 continuing education credits and the 6-month track provides about 25. Each weekly one-hour small-group training session counts as one CE credit hour. These credits are accepted by the California BBS for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and LEPs, and can be applied to the six-hour supervision CE requirement as well as general renewal hours.

What is the difference between the 6-month and 12-month tracks?
Both tracks teach the same Sentio Supervision Model through weekly, small-group, video-based supervision training, and in both you supervise two Sentio Counseling Center trainees under your license. The 6-month track is a focused immersion of about 25 CE credits and meets the International Deliberate Practice Society minimum of 20 supervision sessions, so you finish qualified to apply for the DP Supervisor certification. The 12-month track covers the same material with more sustained practice, deeper integration, and about 50 CE credits.

When do the supervisor training programs start?
The 12-month track uses rolling admission, so you can begin when a space opens. The 6-month track runs as scheduled groups that begin twice a year, in January and September. If you want to start right away, the 12-month track is usually the faster entry point. If you prefer a set start alongside a group beginning at the same time, choose a January or September 6-month start.

What are the BBS requirements to become a clinical supervisor in California?
The California Board of Behavioral Sciences requires that supervisors hold an active California license, have practiced at least two years post-licensure (requirements vary by license type), and complete specific supervision training. The Sentio program satisfies and exceeds the BBS continuing education requirements for supervisors.

How many hours of supervision training do I need in California?
The BBS requires six hours of supervision-specific continuing education per renewal cycle. Both Sentio tracks far exceed this minimum, providing about 25 hours in the 6-month track and up to 50 in the 12-month track. First-time supervisors may have additional post-licensure experience and training requirements depending on license type.

What is the difference between AAMFT Approved Supervisor and CAMFT Certified Supervisor?
The AAMFT Approved Supervisor designation is a national credential from the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. The CAMFT Certified Supervisor is a California-specific designation from the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists. Both are voluntary, and neither is required by the BBS to supervise in California. The Sentio program is distinct and qualifies you to apply for the Deliberate Practice Supervisor certification from the International Deliberate Practice Society, along with CE credits that count toward BBS renewal.

Can I complete the program entirely online?
Yes. All training, supervision, and mentoring sessions take place online via Zoom. There is no in-person requirement. You will need a reliable internet connection, a private space for supervision, and comfort with Zoom screen sharing and recording.

What is the weekly time commitment?
During the foundational phase (about 3 weeks) the commitment is roughly one hour per week. During the supervised-practice phase the commitment is about three hours per week: two hours of individual supervision with two trainees and one hour of small-group video-based training. The 6-month track runs about six months and the 12-month track about a year.

What credential do I earn upon completion?
Completing the program qualifies you to apply for the Deliberate Practice Supervisor certification from the International Deliberate Practice Society. Certification itself is granted by the Society after a competency review of your supervision videos.

Who are the supervisor trainers and mentors?
The program is co-led by Jason Brand, LCSW and MacKenzie Stuart, LMFT, both senior Deliberate Practice trainers and faculty at Sentio University. Sentio's leadership includes the co-editors of the APA Essentials of Deliberate Practice book series and researchers whose work has appeared in Nature, the Journal of Clinical Psychology, and APA Division 29's Psychotherapy Bulletin.

Is this program available to supervisors outside California?
The program is open to licensed supervisors in California and Washington State. Washington supervisors must hold an active Washington license. Because CE recognition varies by state, supervisors elsewhere should confirm with their licensing board before applying.

How does this compare to a 15-hour BBS supervision training course?
Most commercial 15-hour courses focus on regulatory compliance and provide the minimum hours for $200 to $600. The Sentio program provides hands-on training that goes well beyond compliance: a complete, research-backed supervision methodology practiced under expert mentoring, preparation to apply for DP Supervisor certification, and more CE credits than a typical course. And it is free.

How do I apply?
Licensed supervisors in California or Washington State can apply through the online application form. You are welcome to share the opportunity with eligible colleagues.

How does video-based supervision training work?
Trainees record their therapy sessions (with client consent) via Zoom. In supervision, the supervisor and trainee watch selected clips together, identify specific moments to improve, and rehearse those moments live. During the weekly small-group training, participants review clips of their own supervision sessions and receive feedback from senior Sentio trainers.

What is routine outcome monitoring and why does it matter for supervision?
Routine Outcome Monitoring uses validated questionnaires given to clients each session to track symptom change. Supervisors use this data to see which clients are improving, stuck, or deteriorating, so supervision can be targeted rather than relying only on verbal report. Research shows therapists who review outcome data achieve better results. The program teaches supervisors to integrate this into their supervision workflow.

Can I use these CE credits for my BBS license renewal?
Yes. Sentio University CE credits are accepted by the California BBS and can be applied to the six-hour supervision requirement and to general renewal hours. They are valid for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and LEPs. They are not accepted for psychologists or psychiatrists, and agencies outside California may not recognize them.