What is a Resident?

Chances are, if you have had a medical procedure or surgery in a hospital, you have met and have probably been treated by a resident in the pathway of achieving a medical license. A Resident is a masters or doctorate level professional pursuing a higher level of education or certification. 

Residents at Reviving Wellness Counseling are masters level clinicians working on a provisional state license. Virginia requires that one must have completed a minimum of 600 hours of client related time in the form of internship and practicum during the Master’s education process and graduate the program to apply for Residency. 

During the Residency period, the clinician must complete an additional 3,400 hours of client related time in the form of providing direct services such as assessments, evaluations, and counseling services as well as administrative tasks such as report writing, training, documentation of sessions, collaborating with other client supports including primary doctors, psychiatrists or case managers. 

Residents are closely supervised and receive mentorship through a seasoned therapist who has been licensed and well trained. At Reviving Wellness Counseling, Residents receive consultation and clinical supervision services through Tina Curran-Taylor, LPC. Residents also have access to a peer supervision group of well-established therapists with varying licenses. Having this varied mentoring approach helps the resident become well rounded and well supported in a variety of treatment approaches. 

A resident on the LPC track at Reviving Wellness Counseling is trained to see individuals and groups within an out-patient setting. LPC candidates are trained to see individuals and then they specialize this training to see specific populations or diagnoses. One might choose to be a guidance counselor in a school, substance abuse counselor in an agency, trauma, anxiety or depression specialist, and more. 

Just because an LPC typically sees a client one on one, does not mean this clinician cannot do family or couples therapy. Every license requires 20+ hours of continuing education (CEUs) every year. Licensed clinicians tend to home in on specialty areas by tailoring CEU classes to what population or diagnosis they want to master. Most of our clinicians are not only licensed or in pursuit of a license but are also working towards certification in other specialty areas as well. 

Advantages of working with a Resident in Counseling

• Residents are closely supervised and receive mentorship through a seasoned therapist who has been licensed and well trained.
• They also have access to a peer supervision group of well-established therapists with varying licenses. Having this varied mentoring approach helps the resident become well rounded and well supported in a variety of treatment approaches.
• They often have consistent availability within their schedules and can often see you sooner than a licensed clinician.
• They can see clients who receive Medicaid benefits.
• Self-pay rates at Reviving Wellness Counseling are very reasonable at $55 for the initial session and $45 for subsequent sessions. These are similar to an average insurance copay.
• Self-pay allows for additional benefits including greater confidentiality and privacy, more flexibility, and potentially lower overall costs. (See our page that discusses the Benefits of Self-Pay vs. Using Insurance).