How many of the required 3000 post-master's hours must be face-to-face?

To meet the licensure requirements in Tennessee for professional counseling, it is mandated that a certain number of post-master's supervised clinical hours must be face-to-face with clients. The specific requirement for face-to-face hours is set at 1500 out of the total 3000 hours needed for licensure. This stipulation ensures that counselors gain sufficient in-person experience, reflecting the importance of direct client interaction in developing effective therapeutic skills and understanding relational dynamics.

Other requirements address the overall supervised clinical experience but do not emphasize face-to-face interactions to the same extent. This differentiation is crucial in ensuring that future counselors are well-prepared for real-world clinical settings, where effective engagement with clients often occurs in person. Understanding this aspect of the licensure requirements helps clarify the importance of building rapport and competence in a therapeutic relationship through direct contact with clients during the supervised experience.