Fundamentals of Supervision
Fulfills requirement: Supervision
This course is approved by NASW-NJ
“In the process of becoming a psychotherapist or psychoanalyst, the supervisory encounter is second in importance only to the clinical encounter itself.”
-From The Supervisory Encounter by Jacobs, D., M.D., David, P, M.D. & Meyer, D., M.D.
Why do we need to learn to supervise psychotherapists in training? And how do we become truly proficient in this domain?
We are the clinical gatekeepers in the counseling realm; it is our duty to teach burgeoning clinicians to flourish in this field. And, to do so adequately, we must be formally trained in this modality.
In this course, clinicians will learn to utilize several different clinical supervision models, gain insight into the supervisory relationship dynamics, and broaden their understanding of what constitutes ethical, legal, and culturally-sensitive clinical supervision. By the end of this course, participants will be well versed in implementing competent supervisory practices into their work.
This introductory level course consists of four sections. Part One pertains to the models of clinical supervision and includes a PowerPoint presentation and interview. Part Two addresses the supervisory relationship in PowerPoint and interview format. Part Three addresses ethical and legal issues involved in supervision and provides guidelines for new supervisors. This section contains an instructional article along with an interview. Part Four includes a panel discussion on Diversity in Supervision.
A resource section is included which provides supplementary material specific to various mental health professional organizations and clinicians licensed in the State of California.
Educational Objectives
This course will teach the participant to:
- Identify the strengths and weaknesses of the key models involved in supervision
- Discuss the importance of structuring the supervision and fostering strong and adaptive supervisory relationships
- List strategies to maintain one’s supervisory competence
- Describe various ethical and legal issues in clinical supervision and explain how one may navigate these domains to ensure sound practice
- Assess cultural considerations in ethical supervision and practice
Syllabus
- Part One: Models of Clinical Supervision
- Psychotherapy-based models
- Cognitive-behavioral
- Feminist
- Psychodynamic/relational
- Developmental models
- Pros and cons of each model
- Common issues across models:
- Confidentiality
- Evaluation
- Impairment
- Due process
- Psychotherapy-based models
- Part Two: The Supervisory Relationship
- Healthy vs. unhealthy supervisory practices
- Power and gatekeeping
- Diversity
- Self-disclosure in supervisees and supervisors
- Self-esteem
- Multiple relationships
- Tele-supervision
- Termination
- Part Three: Ethical Legal, & Pragmatic Guidelines for Mental Health Supervisors
- Ethical issues
- Dual relationships
- Supervisors’ competence
- Supervisees’ competence
- Informed consent
- Confidentiality
- Supervisory relationship
- Record keeping
- Mandated supervision
- Legal issues
- Standard of care
- Statutory liability
- Negligence and malpractice
- Negligence liability
- Direct liability
- Vicarious liability
- Confidentiality
- Documentation
- Supervision of counseling minors
- Risk management
- Guidelines for new supervisors
- Role transition
- Establishing authority and addressing power dynamics
- Balancing support and evaluation to address supervisees’ needs
- Managing time and setting priorities
- Addressing ethical and legal issues and handling challenging situations
- Seeking supervisory support and ongoing professional development
- Ethical issues
- Part Four: Diversity in Clinical Supervision
- Cultural sensitivity and awareness
- Concept of power
- Microaggressions
- Social justice
- Humility
Supplemental Information or CA supervisors
Resources
Mental health professional organizations
This course is approved for continuing education by the New Jersey Social Work Continuing Education Approval Collaborative, (Approval #8302024-1), which is administered by NASW-NJ. CE Approval Collaborative Approval Period: August 30, 2024 through August 31, 2026. New Jersey social workers will receive 6 CE credits for participating in this course.