common questions about working with a pre-licensed therapist in Minnesota
- 3 days ago
- 6 min read
This post is part of our guide to working with pre-licensed therapists in Minnesota. For the full overview, start here: What It Means to Work With a Pre-Licensed Therapist in Minnesota (And Why It Can Be a Great Fit) |
It makes complete sense to have questions — even hesitations — about working with a pre-licensed therapist in Minnesota. Seeking mental health support is personal, and you want to know you are in capable hands. We would rather you ask these questions out loud than let uncertainty get in the way of finding care.
Here are some of the most common questions we hear about pre-licensed vs. licensed therapists in Minnesota, answered directly.
Does pre-licensed mean they are still in school?
No. Pre-licensed therapists in Minnesota have completed their graduate education. They have earned a master's or doctoral degree from an accredited program and passed at least one licensing exam. They are now in a structured, supervised phase of professional practice — actively seeing clients and building clinical experience.
Think of it like a medical resident: the degree is done, the training is real and ongoing, and the work is happening with active professional oversight. The pre-licensed designation reflects where they are in a regulated licensing process — not their level of knowledge or preparation.
Are they practicing without oversight?
Actually, the opposite is true. Pre-licensed therapists in Minnesota are required by their licensing board to practice under the supervision of a board-approved clinical supervisor for the duration of their supervised period. At MindBalance Mental Health Care, supervision is a minimum of biweekly and ongoing, and includes individual and group clinical supervision—not an occasional check-in.
Their supervisors are not just licensed therapists. They are clinicians who have been specifically approved by their Minnesota licensing board, have practiced independently for a required period — typically at least two years — completed 30 to 45 hours of supervision-specific training, and maintain that credential through ongoing education every two years.
The level of active support and oversight that a pre-licensed therapist in Minnesota receives is often more structured than what is required of independently licensed clinicians.
Pre-licensed vs licensed therapist in Minnesota - what is actually different?
The core difference is where someone is in the licensing process, not the quality of care they provide. Here is a practical comparison:
• Both have graduate degrees from accredited programs
• Both have passed licensing examinations
• Both are bound by the same ethical standards and professional codes of conduct
• A licensed therapist has completed all required supervised hours and holds an independent license
• A pre-licensed therapist is completing those required supervised hours under board-mandated clinical supervision
One meaningful difference: a pre-licensed therapist in Minnesota must have ongoing, structured supervision. An independently licensed therapist is encouraged to seek consultation but is not required to do so in the same formal way. In practice, this means pre-licensed therapists often have more active, built-in professional support around their clinical work.
What if I have a complex situation - can they handle it?
Pre-licensed therapists in Minnesota regularly work with anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship challenges, grief, life transitions, identity exploration, and many other experiences that bring people to therapy.
The supervision structure is designed with exactly this in mind: if your therapist encounters something complex or unfamiliar, they have a built-in, required relationship with an experienced clinician to help them think it through.
If there is ever a situation in which a specific clinical need falls outside what a pre-licensed therapist is authorized to provide independently, we will be transparent with you and help connect you with the right support.
Will I have to start over when they get their full license?
Not necessarily. Many therapists continue to see their clients seamlessly after earning their independent licenses. If any transition does become necessary, we will talk with you well in advance and support you through the process. Continuity of care matters to us.
Is my therapist actually part of the MindBalance mental health care team, or are they just contracted with the practice?
This is a question worth asking of any practice, and we are glad to answer it directly: all pre-licensed therapists at MindBalance Mental Health Care are hired as W-2 employees — regardless of how many hours they work.
This distinction matters more than it might seem. Many mental health practices — including some well-regarded ones — hire therapists as 1099 independent contractors rather than employees. The difference is not just about payroll. It reflects the nature of the relationship between the therapist and the practice.
A 1099 independent contractor arrangement limits the extent of direction, structure, and support a practice can provide. The therapist is operating more independently of the organization, which can mean less administrative support, less integration into team culture and training, and a more transactional relationship with the practice they work in. For a pre-licensed therapist already navigating the demands of early clinical practice, that gap can be significant.
A W-2 employment relationship means something different. Our pre-licensed therapists are full members of the MindBalance team. That means:
• Practice-wide support, resources, and professional development — not just supervision
• Administrative infrastructure so therapists can focus on clinical work, not logistics
• A consistent, stable relationship with the practice that goes beyond required supervision hours
• Team community, shared values, and a practice culture they are genuinely part of
Hiring every therapist as a W-2 employee — at any hours — is a direct expression of our anti-oppressive values and our commitment to supporting our team with equity and care. Independent contractor arrangements can shift financial risk and professional isolation onto clinicians in disproportionate ways, particularly for those early in their careers. When a therapist is genuinely invested in and supported by their practice, that shows up in the work. It shows up for you.
When weighing a pre-licensed vs. a licensed therapist in Minnesota, the credential level matters less than you might think.
What matters more: genuine connection, skillful presence, and care that honors who you are. Our pre-licensed therapists offer all of that — backed by a structured layer of professional support that is required, regulated, and ongoing.
Working with a pre-licensed therapist at MindBalance Mental Health Care means your care is being held by more than one person. Your therapist is trained, licensed, actively supervised, and fully committed to showing up for you.
ALSO IN THIS SERIES This post is part of a series on working with pre-licensed therapists at MindBalance Mental Health Care. Explore the other posts below: What It Means to Work With a Pre-Licensed Therapist in Minnesota (And Why It Can Be A Great Fit) | The full guide - what pre-licensed means, how supervision works, what each credential requires, and why MindBalance Mental Health Care's approach supports your care. What is Clinical Supervision in Therapy - And Why It Matters for Your Care in Minnesota | A deeper look at how clinical supervision works in Minnesota, what board-approved supervisors are required to do, and why that structure benefits you. Understanding Your Minnesota Pre-Licensed Therapist's License: LGSW, LAMFT, and LPC Explained | A plain-language breakdown of each pre-licensed credential — education, exams required, supervised hours, and where each therapist is headed. |
Still have questions?
Reach out to MindBalance Mental Health Care today to learn more about our team and schedule a consultation.
About the Author
Merrily Young-Hye Sadlovsky (she/her/hers), MSW, LICSW, LCSW, is a therapist, clinical supervisor, and co-owner of MindBalance Mental Health Care, an independent holistic mental health practice serving Minneapolis and individuals across Minnesota. She is an EMDRIA EMDR-Certified Therapist and teaches clinical courses as an adjunct faculty member in an MSW program in Minneapolis. Her work focuses on culturally responsive, trauma-informed therapy supporting adoptees, BIPOC, immigrant, and LGBTQ communities, and college and graduate students navigating anxiety, OCD, trauma, disordered eating, and life transitions.
Educational Disclaimer
The information shared in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only and reflects our perspectives and understanding at the time of writing. It is not intended as medical, mental health, legal, or insurance advice, and should not be relied on as such. Reading this content does not create a therapeutic or professional relationship. For guidance specific to your situation, we encourage you to consult with a qualified professional.
