What to expect in supervision Supervision is core to a robust training program. At the Center for Growth, Inc., our philosophy and focus is to provide immediate and direct feedback in multiple ways. Supervision is conducted in both an individual and group format assuring feedback on a one on one basis as well as from peers. Group supervision fosters learning from peers’ cases as well. All work is videotaped, helping our clinicians to see themselves as others see them.
Our supervision is designed to help clinicians develop a strong toolkit while also stimulating them to their maximum potential. We expect and help clinicians develop their own therapeutic voice supported by an environment geared to learning, which are viewed in all supervision sessions, permits a much more intensive detailed examination of therapeutic strengths and weaknesses. Clinicians are expected to review all of their videotapes and choose a specific segment to analyze in supervision. Such video reviews usually help to reveal aspects about the clinician or the clients that were overlooked when conducting the session. The supervisor also commonly spots instructive elements otherwise missed. Reviewing videotapes together with discussion provides a great opportunity to learn and grow as an able clinician.
Much like therapy, supervision uses different theoretical approaches. Our approach is to teach therapy skills as an active collaboration with a humanistic perspective. Supervision often involves having clinicians participate in mock sessions with role plays to teach and demonstrate different skills. Our expectations are that clinicians use their knowledge of various theoretical perspectives to examine a client’s issues, present their understanding of the case and how to intervene from two possibly divergent different perspectives. We help provide education on approaches that are very effective for specific problems. For example, for certain types of sexual dysfunctions, a cognitive-behavioral approach is effective. Ongoing and chronic problematic relationship patterns often benefit from more intense family of origin work. Our couples work is strongly influenced by systems theory and Imago therapy.
After demonstrating proficiency as a therapist, clinicians are strongly encouraged to participate with their views and ideas of how to intervene. Such xxpression and ideas helps further develop the personal theoretical perspectives and the clinician’s own unique voice as a therapist.Often specific skills and interventions need to be taught. For example, many sexual concerns rely on educating clients about sexuality. Teaching clients specific skills and specific interventions helps to bring about change.
Supervision at the Center for Growth, Inc, centers around:
- Education — Different theoretical interventions are discussed in detail including application is differing types of cases. These interventions cover various clinical issues. Another important area is ethical principles and their application in actual practice. A program of life-long learning is stresses
- Conceptualization — describes how a clinician learns to amalgamate and the understand a case using all information available.. Clinicians are expected to test and apply theory learned to develop ideas about what they feel contributes to the client’s problem. Supervision encourages the clinician to analyze the case is the best possible manner develop intervention strategies. Approaching clinical cases from differing theoretical viewpoints is encouraged.
- Guidance — Clinicians are strongly encouraged to develop their own ideas about interventions using concepts learned. While a beginning clinician sometimes is uncertain how to approach a case and what avenue to pursue, more often clinicians bring various degrees of experience that only needs further constructive channeling. Supervision is rarely about telling clinicians what to do, but encouraging them to use their knowledge and to begin developing their own personal and effective style. When feeling stuck finding your own voice or using interventions with a specific problem or type of client, the Center, transcribing an entire session or examing videos help clincians understand why what was said was said, if what the client said was understood , and if the client understand you. The Center helps the clinicians grow by helping them understand why they acted in the manner they did.
- Transference/Countertransference Management — Supervision helps clinicians understand how clients behave, react and interact during sessions and how that may reflect other relationships in their life. Clinicians are encouraged to understand and use this knowledge in their therapy. In addition, clinicians sometimes react to clients based upon their own personal life, which are important to discuss. Supervision helps clinicians to understand about these reactions and manage them. Supervision is not meant to replace individual therapy. The supervisor’s job is to help the clinician manage these important issues.
- Tip Writing — Success as a therapist requires the ability to cogently express oneself. We have found that writing a 1,000 word self-help tip weekly is a most effective method to help clinicians cogently organize their thoughts. Writing tips helps clincians effectively synthesize how therapeutic interventions can be presented in their own voice.
- Evaluation — Supervision includes the examination of videotapes from actual sessions. The Center for Growth staff examine what was done well, what might be improved, where a clinician gets stuck, and approached to further learning. . Evaluations and commitment are thorough. We expect clinicians to be fully committed to our training program and to learning and development as a therapist. Our training program requires high self-motivation and a willingness to self examination.