About the Author

 

               

 

 

Kelci L. Ellis, M.A., LPC, NCC, is a fully licensed therapist in Texas with a deep commitment to mental health advocacy, education, and the counseling profession. She graduated with her Master's in Clinical Mental Health from the University of Mary Hardin Baylor (UMHB) in 2019 and received her Provisional license in April 2020, during the challenging times of the pandemic. Like many others, Kelci felt stuck during this period and was faced with the unique challenge of navigating supervision as a provisional clinician. After experiencing seven months of ineffective supervision, she transitioned to a better-fit supervisor and realized the need for a more meaningful and productive supervision experience.

This turning point led to the creation of LaMe Essentials and, eventually, the Supervision Journal. Kelci's goal was clear: she wanted to ensure that others in similar situations could avoid the pitfalls of poor supervision. After considering effective strategies and techniques to make supervision more impactful, she designed the Supervision Journal as a solution for provisional clinicians seeking more than just an hour of discussion.

Currently, Kelci is pursuing a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision, with a focus on bridging the gap between research, practice, and education. Her work has been recognized through accolades like the 2024 Outstanding Graduate Student of Texas Award and the NBCC Minority Fellowship, which supports her mission to expand mental health services for underserved communities.

In addition to her clinical practice, Kelci has served as the Graduate Student Representative for the Southern Association of Counselor Education and Supervision (SACES), providing essential resources and workshops to mentor the next generation of counselors. Her scholarly contributions include presentations at conferences such as the Texas Association of Counselor Education and Supervision (TACES) and the American Counseling Association (ACA).

The Supervision Journal

The Supervision Journal was born out of Kelci's personal experience of navigating supervision as a provisional clinician during the pandemic. The journal is designed to help clinicians make supervision more than just a routine meeting—it's about creating a fulfilling and effective partnership with their supervisor. The journal offers thought-provoking questions, reflection prompts, and strategies that help clinicians build self-awareness, enhance communication, develop clinician identity, and establish trust in the supervision process.

This journal allows provisional clinicians to track their growth and development as they work towards becoming fully licensed. It is a tool designed not just for checking off hours, but for transforming supervision into an enriching process of professional and personal growth. Kelci’s hope is that the Supervision Journal will inspire clinicians to view supervision as an empowering opportunity to shape their future careers and build the skills needed to be successful in the field.

Kelci’s dedication to enhancing the supervision experience has led her to create this tool, and she sincerely hopes that clinicians will find it as helpful and invigorating to their supervision journey as she did during her own.