What is necessary to change a person is to change his awareness of himself.”

— Abraham Maslow

 Clinical supervisors often face the challenge of balancing professional boundaries with the goal of connecting to their supervisees as their authentic selves. How do you model openness, integrity, and trust without compromising professionalism? How do you build rapport with supervisees while maintaining boundaries and safety in the room?  This is a dilemma many new supervisors grapple with, and it can hinder the growth of both supervisor and supervisee.

Practicing authentically necessitates supervisors to look inward and develop an in-depth awareness of self.  When supervisors do not acknowledge their own identities, values, and experiences, they may inadvertently create an unrealistic standard or even create space for bias to enter the relationship. This can limit open communication and trust, making it harder for supervisees to fully develop their professional and personal capacities.  This becomes particularly problematic when working with new practitioners in the field!  Students and Qualifying practitioners experience unique challenges in their growth, necessitating a more supportive, patient, caring environment.  As a result, a thorough understanding of the relationship combined with the Safe and Effective Use of Self (SEUS) as a supervisor can greatly improve the supervisory process, in addition to clinician growth and client satisfaction!   

Recently, there has been a shift in focus to the clinician being a “blank slate” for the client, to the clinician showing up in an authentic and open manner.  As one of more the difficult competencies to master for new therapists, supervision plays a vital role in skill development for safe use of Self and authenticity in rapport development.  A recent focus in the field of supervision is supporting both supervisees and supervisors in creating space to allow for their authentic selves in an effort to practice more authentically.   Jillian Papineau Ph.D., RP, a seasoned mental health professional and clinical supervisor in collaboration with PESI, offers a training to support supervisors in mindfulness practices, values exploration, and ethical decision-making.  These practices are explored from the lens of authentic and ethical relations in supervision.  This training provides learners with the opportunity to reflect on their Whole Self in the supervision room, and ideally continue their developmental journeys with key clinical skills, including:

• Incorporation of Values-Based Supervision Concepts: Follow a step-by-step guide that weaves values-driven supervision into your practice, promoting more authentic interactions with your supervisees.

• Master Safe and Effective Use of Self as a Supervisor: Discover key principles often overlooked in clinical supervision that are essential for ethical and effective practice.

• Navigate Ethical Dilemmas with Confidence: Use tools that address complex ethical issues and work with diverse clients, enhancing your decision-making abilities.

• Engage in Practical Exercises: Apply theory directly to real-world scenarios through hands-on exercises and case studies or role plays.

• Develop Practical Skills: Foster open communication and trust by incorporating ethical self-disclosure into your supervision.

This values based clinical supervision training from PESI Canada –Whole Person Supervision—is more than just a course; it’s an opportunity to refine clinical skills and bring a fresh perspective to your supervisory practice. It asks learners to explore their whole Self, as well as the person of the supervisee, in order to develop a in depth consideration of the supervision system. We recognize life is an ongoing journey and we are constantly changing as we experience it; Consider taking the next step in your journey toward becoming a more effective, values-driven supervisor.

To learn more and register, click here.  This link brings you to the PESI Canada website for more information.