Course 4S - The Developmental Model of Behavioral Health Supervision

Course overview

The course addresses in detail the purposes, principles, ethics, methods and techniques of clinical supervision of Behavioral Health supervisees, including the necessity of written documentation of all supervisory interactions, observations, and assessments including formative and summative performance. SUPERVISION CREDIT FOR LPC, LMFT, LSW - NOT FOR PSYCHOLOGISTS. We are sponsoring this course, which is published by SAMHSA and the National Institute of Health, National Library of Medicine. There is extensive discussion of the legal issues and vulnerabilities involved in the supervision of mental health and SUD professionals by licensed supervisors, and the need for DIRECT OBSERVATION of the supervisee's work with clients. The benefits and disadvantages of each of the OBSERVATION METHODS is described. The course includes explanation of the collaborative relationship between Supervisors and Supervisees, and the Supervisor's function as role model and mentor for Supervisees, as well as the role of GATEKEEPER for licensure in the profession. The Goals of the Course: 1. Understand the purpose and essential functions of the supervisory relationship and process -- teacher, consultant, coach, mentor/role model, and guardian of the welfare of the organization's clients. 2. Understand the Supervisor's role as 'Gatekeeper' for the behavioral health profession. 3. Know the central principles and guidelines of clinical supervision pertaining to ethical and legal vulnerability of both the supervisor and the supervisee, dual relationships and boundary issues, informed consent by both the supervisee and the client, confidentiality, and supervisor-specific ethics and responsibilities including prevention of supervisee burnout and compassion fatigue. 4. Understand the legal distinction between 'direct liability' and 'vicarious liability' (respondeat superior), and how these apply to the need for DIRECT OBSERVATION of supervisees and DOCUMENTATION of supervisory actions and interactions. 5. Know how to implement the steps in a 'decision tree' to effectively manage a situation in which the supervisor is concerned about a possible ETHICAL or LEGAL violation by a supervisee. 6. According to the Developmental Model of Supervision, know and be able to recognize three levels/stages of development of new Behavioral Health Supervisees, and the levels/stages of development of Behavioral Health Clinical Supervisors. 7. Know the various methods and techniques of MONITORING and EVALUATING the development and clinical performance of supervisees, including DIRECT and INDIRECT methods of observation and the benefits and limitations which apply to each. 8. Understand the difference between clinical and administrative supervision, and learn approaches to balancing both responsibilities when necessary. 9. Know how to prevent, recognize and address issues of problematic CULTURAL competence between the supervisee and the client, and between the supervisor and the supervisee. 10. Learn about the June 2020 changes in Federal statute 42 CFR, Part 2, pertaining to confidentiality for persons receiving treatment for SUD, and the revision of NBCC's ETHICS policy for Online Counseling, which was expanded to include Provision of Distance Professional Services in multiple distance media formats.