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Clinical Supervision Handbook - CAMH Knowledge Exchange ..

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Beginning <strong>Clinical</strong> <strong>Supervision</strong><br />

time frames. Contracts can be verbal or written. The following case example<br />

illustrates the process of establishing a verbal contract.<br />

CASE EXAMPLE: DISCUSSING THE GOALS<br />

OF CLINICAL SUPERVISION<br />

Regina, a new clinician who recently graduated from school,<br />

starts a permanent position as an addiction therapist in the residential<br />

program. As part of her orientation, Regina is asked to<br />

meet with the clinical supervisor (an advanced practice clinician)<br />

and manager to discuss roles and expectations, the role of clinical<br />

supervision in this setting, the process of group clinical supervision<br />

and the scheduling of individual clinical supervision. The<br />

clinician is also offered a few definitions of clinical supervision<br />

that are used in this setting.<br />

Because she will report to both the clinical supervisor and manager,<br />

Regina is given some guidelines about areas appropriate for<br />

discussion with the clinical supervisor and other areas to be<br />

discussed with the manager. The APC role focuses on practicerelated<br />

issues through education and support while the manager’s<br />

role is more administrative, as well as being supportive.<br />

In building the relationship with the clinical supervisor, Regina is<br />

asked questions about past clinical supervision as a student as<br />

well as any questions or concerns she has about working with the<br />

clinical supervisor in this setting. From this discussion, the clinical<br />

supervisor learns that Regina experienced her student supervisor<br />

as holding grudges and often felt punished for earlier mistakes in<br />

her placement. This information leads the clinical supervisor<br />

to be sensitive when giving feedback, to acknowledge that the<br />

clinician cannot always make perfect choices and to articulate her<br />

hope that the clinician approach her if she were unsure of her<br />

work in the early days, as a way to obtain help and support.<br />

The clinical supervisor also discusses circumstances that are<br />

somewhat unique to the program. Unlike other settings, there is<br />

opportunity for the clinician to connect with the clinical supervisor<br />

around daily clinical issues. Also, there are some situations such<br />

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