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A Focus on Excellence: Earning an LPC
It can be said that excellence is asking more of yourself than others ask of you. In 2010, The Bridge launched the excellence campaign, Project 2020, to encourage the entire organization to seek constant improvement in every phase of operations. In the spirit of excellence, The Bridge recognizes the efforts of employees who ask more of themselves than is demanded of them. Recently, Penelope Burton earned her certification as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) while she was working full time as the Residential Services Coordinator for the four programs on the Gadsden campus. Ms. Burton, who already holds an Master's degree in counseling from Jacksonville State University, was recently promoted to Clinical Coordinator for Bridge outpatient programs in north Alabama. The Bridge encourages staff members to pursue advanced certifications and professional development. Having better trained, better equipped staff improves the quality of our services. Qualified employees can apply for assistance from the company to cover the expenses of the certification process. What is an LPC? Many careers offer professional development opportunities and most require extensive additional education. The LPC, which requires a Master's degree to pursue, helps the counselor gain valuable additional experience and credibility in the field. According to Ashleigh Simon, Clinical Director for The Bridge, getting an LPC requires 3000 hours of supervised experience and 200 hours of face-to-face supervision. The applicant must also pass the National Counselor Examination governed by the Alabama Board of Examiners in Counseling. Promoting Excellence
The Bridge is certified by the state of Alabama to provide supervision for counselors seeking LPC certification. Supervising counselors can work with applicants from other organizations around the state as well as Bridge staff members aspiring to earn an LPC. According to Ms. Simon, having a supervisor on staff helps those seeking licensure benefit from working with people who are “innately familiar with the work they do within the agency.” Having Licensed Professional Counselors on staff translates to more productive sessions and more successful treatment for the clients. According to Ms. Simon, training for an LPC on-site also helps The Bridge be more effective in terms of training and productivity and helps the company continue to promote and hire the best people possible to serve our clients. |