Clinical Supervision
Clinical supervision, a contractual relationship, fosters the professional growth and safe therapeutic practice of psychotherapists, involving intentional meetings and shared responsibility for client well-being, distinct from managerial supervision and consultation. As a certified Canadian Clinical Supervisor specializing in Addiction Counselling (CCS-AC), I provide in-office, virtual, or on-site clinical supervision for addiction counsellors, recovery coaches, and addiction peer support workers. Supervision is available for individuals in private practice, working in a social services setting, or employed by a treatment program/agency.
What is clinical supervision?
Clinical supervision is distinct from general (or managerial) supervision by a supervisor or manager in the workplace, and distinct from the general supervision of students. These distinctions do not mean that an employee cannot receive clinical supervision from a manager or team leader in the workplace, nor does it mean that students do not receive clinical supervision. However, clinical supervision is a particular kind of supervision that has specific characteristics:
- it is contractual;
- it is purposeful (intentional);
- records are kept;
- there are regular meetings; and
- there may be shared responsibility for the well-being of clients depending on circumstances and modality.
What is the purpose of clinical supervision?
The purpose of clinical supervision is four-fold:
- to promote the professional growth of the supervisee;
- to enhance the supervisee’s safe and effective use of self in the therapeutic relationship;
- to discuss the direction of therapy; and
- to safeguard the well-being of the client.
Clinical supervision versus Consulation
Just as clinical supervision is distinct from managerial supervision, clinical supervision is also distinct from consultation with colleagues or other professionals when seeking direction or advice regarding the way forward with a particular client or clinical issue. Consultation is a process that occurs between two professionals, where one is seeking the other’s help, insight, or assistance regarding a particular matter or problem. Consultation is, essentially, the sharing of experiences, advice, and expertise between two mental health professionals. Consultation often takes place sporadically, on an “as needed” basis.
While sometimes less structured than clinical supervision, consultation is an important (often essential) professional activity that provides access to the experience and expertise of other practitioners.
I am accepting new supervisee’s and offer a free 15-minute virtual consultation.