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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