The Pre-Licensed Clinician's Bill of Rights: Protecting Yourself in the Early Stages of Your Career

Entering the clinical field as a pre-licensed therapist can feel equal parts exciting and terrifying. You’re eager to gain hours, grow your skillset, and do meaningful work - but you’re also vulnerable. Unfortunately, many pre-licensed clinicians are taken advantage of by unethical supervisors or exploitative group practices. If you've ever felt disempowered, overworked, or unsure of your rights, this is for you.

The Pre-Licensed Clinician's Bill of Rights

1. You have the right to ethical supervision.
Supervision must be about you and your growth - not your supervisor’s self-promotion, personal storytelling, or emotional validation.

2. You have the right to access your own clients.
You should not be blocked from communicating with clients you've worked with. If you're removed from a system, you have the right to terminate ethically. Forced abandonment by a supervisor or agency is a reportable offense to the board.

3. You have the right to transparency.
Your employer or supervisor should be clear about pay, policies, referral sources, cancellation rules, and documentation expectations.

4. You have the right to reasonable autonomy.
Micromanagement disguised as “mentorship” is not okay. Your caseload, your documentation, and your clinical voice should be respected.

5. You have the right to say no.
To excessive documentation. To unpaid admin hours. To toxic positivity. To being used as a prop for someone else’s brand.

6. You have the right to clinical support, not control.
A supervisor should help you sharpen your thinking, not demand loyalty or obedience.

7. You have the right to visibility.
You should be listed on the practice website and empowered to build your own Psychology Today profile if applicable.

8. You have the right to remote work options when clinically appropriate.
Being forced to be in-person 100% of the time may reflect a desire to monitor rather than mentor.

9. You have the right to feedback without psychological manipulation.
Constructive criticism is normal. Gaslighting, pathologizing, or vague attacks on your fitness for the field are not.

10. You have the right to leave.
And do so without being vilified, locked out of systems, or having your reputation smeared.

Being pre-licensed doesn’t mean being powerless. Know your worth. Know your rights. And don’t confuse controlling supervision or management with competent leadership.