CLINICAL SUPERVISION- Under Construction
Clinical Supervision
Supervision Training and Experience:
Our company’s clinical supervisors are highly trained, experienced professionals with advanced Counselor Education and Supervision credentials. They have completed graduate-level and doctoral-level coursework in supervision theory and gained practical experience supervising master’s-level practicum students. Their research interests include supervision interventions, curriculum development, and evidence-based practices that enhance the professional growth of supervisees.
All of our clinical supervisors are licensed and qualified to supervise Mental Health Counselors and Marriage and Family Therapists in Florida. In addition, our team includes supervisors who hold national recognition as Approved Clinical Supervisors, underscoring their commitment to maintaining the highest standards of professional development and ethical practice. Collectively, our supervisors have extensive counseling experience that spans a variety of clinical issues, populations, and treatment modalities.
Our supervisors are intensively trained in modalities such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), systemic approaches, Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Prolonged Exposure for PTSD, Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), creative arts therapies, eating disorder treatment, addictionology, motivational interviewing (MI), and more. Some of our supervisors also have backgrounds in educational, developmental, and behavioral techniques, allowing them to bring a comprehensive perspective to the supervisory relationship. We encourage supervisees to review the qualifications of our clinical supervision team and identify approaches they would like integrated into their supervision sessions.
Dialectical Behavior Supervision (DBS) Model and Approach:
Our clinical supervision team utilizes the Dialectical Behavior Supervision (DBS) model. This integrative approach blends the principles of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) with a relational-supportive model of counselor development (Bossie, manuscript in preparation). DBS organizes supervision goals into four key areas: counselor well-being, self-efficacy (e.g., professional confidence and identity), competency (e.g., clinical skills and professional disposition), and the supervisee’s growth from trainee to master counselor.
Drawing on DBT principles, DBS integrates mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, emotion regulation, and distress tolerance skills to promote supervisee development. In dyadic or triadic supervision, agendas are co-created to reflect supervisee needs and ensure client welfare (Linehan, 1993; Riechel et al., 2018). We employ a consultation team format adapted for counselor education during group supervision. Together, supervisors and supervisees address high-risk cases, counselor- or therapy-interfering behaviors, wellness support, case presentations, didactics, and recognition of positive contributions (Bossie, manuscript in preparation; Linehan, 1993; Riechel et al., 2018; Waltz et al., 1998). This collaborative process encourages peer consultation, and fosters enhanced competency, professional identity development, and overall growth. Our team may also provide live supervision, written feedback on clinical documentation, and reviews of session transcripts to ensure a thorough and supportive supervision experience.
Method of Feedback, Monitoring, & Evaluation:
Our supervisors recognize that feedback is a critical element of professional development. At the start of the supervision process, tools such as the Counselor Competency Scale (CCS-R) and initial supervision interviews help supervisees self-assess their developmental levels and set goals (Lambie et al., 2018). As supervision progresses, ongoing monitoring includes standardized measures, self-reports, and raw clinical data (e.g., case notes, progress notes, intake reports, and session recordings).
Guided by a developmental perspective, our supervisors employ purposeful and structured feedback. Dialectical feedback focuses on five functions: corrective guidance, modeling, practical tips, curiosity, and validation (Bloom et al., 1956; Bossie, manuscript in preparation; Thomas & Behling, 2018). Additionally, our supervisors engage in meta-competency reflections, welcome supervisee input, and participate in supervision-of-supervision to uphold the principles of the DBS model and maintain an effective supervisory environment.
While the evaluation process is not tied to academic grades, performance reviews, or salary considerations, licensure supervision inherently functions as a professional gatekeeping measure. We encourage supervisees to self-evaluate, reflecting on goals, challenges, and areas for improvement. Our supervisors are open to addressing any concerns regarding evaluation, self-assessment, and using various measures to track progress. If a supervisee’s clinical judgment could potentially harm clients, our supervisors will adopt a more directive approach to ensure client welfare.
During supervision meetings, supervisors provide oral feedback on a range of counselor dispositions, including openness to new ideas, flexibility, cooperation, receptivity to feedback, awareness of personal impact, conflict resolution skills, acceptance of responsibility, appropriate emotional expression, adherence to ethical and legal standards, and overall initiative and motivation.
Supervisees are encouraged to offer feedback about the supervisory process. While a power differential is acknowledged, we value supervisee perspectives as part of a collegial and client-centered environment. If at any point a supervisee wishes to involve a third party to address conflicts, we request one week’s notice, ensuring a fair and protective measure for all involved.
Documentation and Reporting:
Our clinical supervisors comply with Florida licensure board requirements, including reporting on supervisees’ fitness to practice. Supervisees must track their client contact and supervision hours as state regulations dictate. After the supervision period, supervisees will submit their affidavit forms and supporting logs for final verification and documentation.
Confidentiality and Privileged Communication:
All registered interns must clearly represent their intern status to clients and communicate how this affects confidentiality. A disclosure statement must be provided detailing internship status, supervisory involvement, sharing of raw data, and consent for any recording. Supervisees must secure informed consent and the proper documentation before providing supervisors with Protected Health Information (PHI). Our supervisors are happy to assist trainees in developing disclosure statements appropriate for their practice setting.
Within the supervisory relationship, client information shared by supervisees remains confidential and is handled professionally. Exceptions to confidentiality occur only when there is a legal or ethical duty to report imminent harm, abuse, or other mandated circumstances. If an external consultation is required, supervisees’ informed consent enables the supervisor to seek additional guidance while maintaining confidentiality according to ACES ethical standards.
Emergency Contact Information:
Supervisees should contact their assigned supervisor immediately if they suspect an emergency. A dedicated phone number is provided for urgent issues, and supervisors strive to remain accessible outside of scheduled supervision times. Time-sensitive matters should not be communicated via email.
Ethical Standards:
Our clinical supervisors adhere to the CCE Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS) Code of Ethics, ACES Best Practices for supervision, and the ethical and professional guidelines established by the Florida Department of Health Statute 491. Committing to these standards ensures that all supervisory activities are conducted with integrity, professionalism, and a steadfast commitment to ethical practices.
Getting Started:
To begin the supervision process, prospective supervisees should:
- Attend a “Fit Consultation” session
- Verify their registered intern license
- Present evidence of malpractice/liability coverage
- Submit written notice from their employer confirming onsite coverage at all times
- Sign the Wisely Supervision Agreement contract
- Obtain a supervisor agreement verification form for filing with the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling
By partnering with our team of qualified supervisors, supervisees benefit from a supportive, structured, and ethically grounded environment designed to foster professional growth, confidence, and competence in their clinical practice.
