Issues and Ethics in the Helping Professions 9

Issues and Ethics in the Helping Professions, 9 th Edition by Gerald Corey, Marianne Schneider Corey, Cindy Corey, and Patrick Callanan with Michelle Muratori, Johns Hopkins University © 2015. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Chapter 9 ETHICAL ISSUES IN SUPERVISION © 2015. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Supervision Four major goals of supervision: – To promote supervisee growth and development – To protect the welfare of the client – To monitor supervisee performance and to serve as a gatekeeper for the profession – To empower the supervisee to self-supervise and carry out these goals as an independent professional © 2015. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Informed Consent in Supervision The standard of practice is to incorporate clear informed consent material for supervisees, both orally and in writing. It is beneficial to discuss the rights of supervisees from the beginning of the supervisory relationship. © 2015. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Informed Consent in Supervision When supervisees learn what they can expect in supervision and what to do to achieve success, they are empowered to express expectations, make decisions, and become active participants in the supervisory process. © 2015. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

The Supervision Contract The following topics should be included in a supervision contract: – Supervisor’s background – Methods to be used in supervision – Responsibilities and requirements of supervisors – Supervisee’s responsibilities – Policies pertaining to confidentiality and privacy © 2015. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

The Supervision Contract The following topics should be included in a supervision contract: – Documentation of supervision – Risks and benefits – Evaluation of job performance – Complaint procedures and due process – Professional development goals – Duration and termination of the supervision contract © 2015. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Rights of Supervisees Supervisory sessions free from distractions To be fully informed of supervisor’s approach Confidentiality with regard to supervisee’s disclosure Confidentiality with regard to clients except as mandated by law © 2015. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Rights of Supervisees Continual access to records maintained during supervision To provide feedback to supervisors concerning supervision experience To seek consultation from other professionals as necessary © 2015. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Responsibilities of Supervisees Come prepared to each supervision session. Be an active participant. Take the initiative to ask for what you need from your supervisor. Do related research and reading between sessions to enhance your clinical work. © 2015. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Responsibilities of Supervisees Pay attention to your interactions with clients and with your supervisor. Be willing to address any areas of concern you have. If you are having trouble with colleagues or fellow supervisees, bring such matters into supervision. © 2015. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Responsibilities of Supervisees Ask for feedback about your strengths and areas where you need to improve and be open to feedback from supervisors, fellow supervisees, and your clients. Try to critically evaluate feedback you feel is not constructive. Establish healthy boundaries for yourself. © 2015. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Responsibilities of Supervisees Let your supervisor know if you are feeling overwhelmed by your work with clients. Be open to various forms of supervision, including live supervision and videotaping. Talk about insecurities and anxieties you have that pertain to your work. © 2015. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Responsibilities of Supervisees Provide feedback to your supervisor about what you find helpful or unhelpful in your supervisory relationship. Pay attention to possible sources of countertransference. – In supervision, explore how these reactions are affecting your work with clients. © 2015. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

The Supervisor’s Roles and Responsibilities Supervisors must be competent both in the practice of supervision and in the area of counseling being supervised. Supervisors should provide supervision only after obtaining the education and training to ensure competence in this role, and only if they can devote the time to provide adequate oversight. © 2015. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

The Supervisor’s Roles and Responsibilities Supervisors are ultimately responsible, both ethically and legally, for the actions of their trainees. Supervisors have responsibilities to supervisees’ current and future clients. Supervisors must have a clearly developed framework for supervision and a rationale for the methods they employ. © 2015. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

The Supervisor’s Roles and Responsibilities The quality of the supervisory relationship is just as important as the methods a supervisor chooses. A good portion of the supervisory sessions should focus on the personal stress experienced by the supervisee during client–counselor interactions. © 2015. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Methods of Supervision Self-report is one of the most widely used supervisory methods, yet it may be the least useful. – Procedure is limited by the supervisee’s conceptual and observational ability. Process notes build on the self-report by adding a written record explaining the content of the session and the interactional processes. © 2015. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Methods of Supervision Audio recording is a widely used procedure that yields direct and useful information about the supervisee. Video recording allows for an assessment of the subtleties of the interaction between the supervisee and the client. © 2015. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Methods of Supervision Live supervision, which is conducted by the supervisor during the supervisee’s session with a client, provides the most accurate information about therapy session. © 2015. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Competence of Supervisors Most psychology and counselor education programs offer a course in supervision at the doctoral level, but training for supervisors at the master’s level is lacking. © 2015. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Competence of Supervisors The licensure laws in several states stipulate that LPCs who practice supervision are required to have relevant training experiences and course work in supervision. Good supervisors demonstrate the four A’s: – They tend to be available, accessible, affable, and able. © 2015. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Legal Aspects of Supervision Informed consent Confidentiality and its limits Liability – Direct liability can be incurred when the actions of supervisors are the cause for harm. – Vicarious liability pertains to the responsibilities supervisors have to oversee the actions of their supervisees. © 2015. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Online Supervision As cybersupervision and the use of electronic media in supervision have become more prevalent, the following ethical issues have taken on added dimensions: – Confidentiality – Informed consent – The supervisory relationship © 2015. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Online Supervision A major consideration is whether online supervision will count toward licensure when the supervisor and supervisee reside in different states. © 2015. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Risk Management Practices for Supervisors Don’t supervise beyond your competence. Evaluate and monitor supervisees’ competence. Be available for supervision consistently. Formulate a sound supervision contract. © 2015. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Risk Management Practices for Supervisors Maintain written policies. Document all supervisory activities. Consult with appropriate professionals. Maintain a working knowledge of ethics codes, legal statutes, and licensing regulations. © 2015. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Risk Management Practices for Supervisors Use multiple methods of supervision. Have a feedback and evaluation plan. Verify that your professional liability insurance covers you for supervision. © 2015. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Risk Management Practices for Supervisors Evaluate and screen all clients under your supervisee’s care. Establish a policy for ensuring confidentiality. Incorporate informed consent in practice. © 2015. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Multicultural Issues in Supervision Dimensions of a good multicultural model: – Pluralistic philosophy – Cultural knowledge – Consciousness raising – Experiential training – Contact with racial and ethnic minorities – Practicum or internship with culturally diverse populations © 2015. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

Multiple Roles and Relationships in the Supervisory Process Sexual intimacies during training: – Core issue is difference in power and status Providing counseling for trainees: – Dual relationship standard of ethical conduct should be used © 2015. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.