My Understanding of Clinical Social Work Supervision
How I understand Kansas’ mandate regarding clinical social work supervision
I assume that to “provide clinical services independently.... (which is possible with LSCSW licensure)....without close oversight”, one must develop a broad range of competencies. These include three overlapping and intersecting areas: use of professional ethics and values to guide practice at a more abstract and complex level, use of theories to guide practice at the operational level, and use of self to facilitate therapeutic relationships and therapeutic change. This requires not only conceptual knowledge but also a great deal of self awareness, skill at critical thinking and ethical decision making, and openness to self-disclose and self-examine. In this regard, I see having a “safe”, respectful, and comfortable relationship with your supervisor as essential to creating a context where you can openly and critically reflect upon your practice. This type of relationship is something that we both participate in creating through open, honest, and respectful dialogue.
In clinical practice, there is a shared responsibility for the welfare of clients: both of us can be held accountable if a client is harmed by your actions or in-actions, whether inadvertently or not. However, I can only assist in assuring competent practice if I am aware of what is happening in your work with your clients. For this reason, it is your obligation to keep me informed whenever there is a possible risk of legal, ethical, or clinical problems occurring in your practice. I am then responsible to help you figure out how to work with your clients in order to resolve the situation in an ethical, responsible, and professional way.
Please keep in mind when preparing to present case material for supervision that “clinical supervision” is not the same as “case review” (discussing demographic or administrative details related to case management). In particular, clinical supervision involves critical thinking regarding your use of clinical theories, professional values, and ethical decision-making. It also involves self-awareness and self-reflection regarding the interface of your personal & professional “growing edges” that are demonstrated in your “use of self” during clinical practice.
How to get the most out of individual or group supervision meetings
1. Come prepared to each supervision meeting by identifying several clinical situations or client systems you’d like help with. Identify the question(s) you’d like help addressing. Also, if bringing a video or audio tape, have it cued to the section which demonstrates the interaction, skills, or issue you’d like to hear my feedback about.
2. BSRB requires that the focus of clinical supervision include:
· diagnostic assessment of mental disorders
· psychopathology
· psychotherapeutic treatment approaches with individuals, couples, families, and groups (social work theory also includes “communities”)
· interdisciplinary referral and collaboration, including contact and with client’s primary care physicians whenever “symptoms of mental disorder” are apparent
· professional ethics
3. If you aren't sure what to focus on in clinical supervision, here are some Possible Topics.
4. If you aren't sure what questions to bring clinical supervision, here are some Possible Questions.
Please keep in mind when preparing to present case material for supervision that “clinical supervision” is not the same as “case review” (covering demographic or administrative details related to case management). In particular, clinical supervision involves critical thinking regarding your use of clinical theories, professional values, and ethical decision-making. It also involves self-awareness and critical thinking regarding the interface of your personal & professional “growing edges” that are demonstrated in “use of self” during clinical practice (which is often referred to as “counter-transference”).