Clinical Supervision Foundations

Clinical Supervision Foundations – An introductory course

Welcome to the Addiction Technology Transfer Center (ATTC) Network’s new Clinical Supervision Foundations course!

This course consists of two interconnected components: an online course and a face-to-face training, and emphasizes supervision in substance use disorder (SUD) treatment and recovery programs, as well as other behavioral health settings. The course totals 30 contact hours and introduces clinical supervisors, along with persons preparing to become supervisors, to the knowledge and skills essential to the practice of supervision.

Participants in the Clinical Supervision Foundations course will first complete a 14 contact hour online course. The course provides an introduction to theories, definitions, roles, issues and practices germane to developing supervisory skills. The online course is a prerequisite to the face-to-face training and can be taken any time prior to the face-to-face component at the participant’s own pace and convenience.

The second part of the Clinical Supervision Foundations course is a 14 hour face-to-face training and a two hour worksite assignment (16 contact hours in total). It provides participants an opportunity to deepen their understanding of key issues, as well as practice facilitating some of the discussion and skill building components. The worksite assignment includes a review of clinical supervision competencies, a self-evaluation, and the creation of a personal plan to continue developing proficiency in clinical supervision. This assignment is made at the conclusion of the face-to-face training and must be submitted to the trainer(s) prior to receiving a certificate for 16 contact hours.

Background

The Clinical Supervision Foundations course was developed by the Addiction Technology Transfer Center (ATTC) Network as an introduction to the essential elements of supervisory practice. Developed in response to the need for an educational program which helps supervisors qualify for credentialing, the course presents participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to assure quality of care and promote the professional development of addictions and behavioral health counselors.

Knowing it is difficult for supervisors to be away from the worksite for extended periods, the course was intentionally designed utilizing a combination of online, face-to-face, and worksite formats for the total course. The online portion is intended to introduce basic concepts and resources, providing a conceptual overview of the work of a clinical supervisor. The face-to-face segment, with the online course as a prerequisite, then delves further into some of the more practical aspects of supervision and builds in opportunities for skills practice. The final worksite aspect offers supervisors an opportunity to self-assess their knowledge and skills, as well as create a plan for continuing their professional development.

Throughout the course several standard setting documents are utilized as learning resources, including:

Addiction Counseling Competencies: The Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes of Professional Practice (CSAT, 2006),
Performance Assessment Rubrics for the Addiction Counseling Competencies (Gallon and Porter, 2011),
Clinical Supervision and Professional Development of the Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAT, TIP 52, 2009), and
Competencies for Substance Abuse Treatment Clinical Supervisors (CSAT, TAP 21-A, 2007).

Course Content and Objectives

As noted above, the 30-hour course includes three segments: a self-paced 14-hour online course introducing key supervisory concepts, methods and tools; a 14-hour face-to-face training; and a 2-hour worksite professional development planning assignment. The face-to-face training includes short presentations, demonstrations, small group activities and role-play practice.

Specific participant outcome objectives for the entire course include:

Understanding the primary tasks and functions of the clinical supervisor,
Developing a model of clinical supervision consistent with personal beliefs,
Improving ability to give effective job performance feedback,
Being able to structure a supervisor interview to meet specific goals.
Becoming familiar with several resources to aid in performance evaluation,
Learning to collaborate with supervisees on a professional development plan to improve counselor job performance, and
Participating in a self-assessment resulting in a plan for continued improvement of supervisory skills.

The course curriculum as a whole focuses on helping participants define their model of supervision; learn how to build a strong supervisory alliance; apply an assessment of supervisory modalities and methods; and utilize tools to enhance counselor development.
It is an introductory course intended to assist in preparing clinicians to provide meaningful supervision. Successful completion of the introductory online course is required for participation into the face-to-face segment of the course.

What will be expected from you?

Participants in the Clinical Supervision Foundations course will:

Participate fully in the course, including completing the online course and attending a two-day face-to-face session
Complete and sign a learning contract
Submit a completed written assignment 30 days after completing the face-to-face session
Complete all evaluation forms; both from the online course and face-to-face training
Participate in all activities during the face-to-face session
Collaborate with colleagues
Be open to the experience and dedicated to the notion that we are all life-time learners

Who is eligible to participate?

The Clinical Supervision Foundations course is especially suited for:

Beginning clinical supervisors
Clinical Supervisors who would like to enhance or review the fundamental skills needed to be a successful clinical supervisor
Counselors who are being groomed to become clinical supervisors
Behavioral healthcare professionals who want to learn more about clinical supervision