Adopting a Trauma-Informed Approach to Clinical Supervision

Fulfills requirement: Supervision

Clinicians are likely to encounter clients with histories of trauma regardless of whether their work focuses on the trauma itself or the clients’ current problems in living that stem from trauma exposure. Despite the prevalence of trauma among those seeking or required to seek treatment, there is a lack of guidance regarding trauma informed (TI) clinical supervision.

Adopting a TI lens in clinical supervision does not require a new set of skills, as it draws upon widely accepted models of supervision. It does, however, require supervisors to understand the basic principles of the TI approach and its application to clinical practice.

In this two-part course, Dr. Knight, Professor Emeritus, begins by introducing the trauma-informed formulation and its core principles. She then delves into clarifying the trauma-informed perspective and its intersection with core values, ethics, skills, and principles of professional practice. The nature of indirect trauma and its manifestations are explained.

Part II begins with a brief review of the key features of the TI formulation. Dr. Knight identifies four widely disseminated conceptual models of supervision that form the basis for trauma-informed supervision. She then discusses the supervisory skills that model trauma informed practice and help supervisees adopt a trauma-informed approach, become more competent and autonomous practitioners, and manage their experiences with indirect trauma.

Case examples, theories, and research findings are integrated throughout the course, along with exercises that allow participants the opportunity to apply their learning. Supplemental readings are provided to expand upon concepts introduced in this course. Content in those readings is not included in the posttest questions or evaluations.

All content is presented in video, audio, and text options.