Competent clinical supervision: Emerging effective practices

Abstract

With the recognition that clinical supervision is a distinct professional practice comes the necessity for identification of effective practices. In this competency-based era, a meta-theoretical, interpersonal framework is provided in competency-based clinical supervision in which specific attention is paid to the strengths and emerging competencies of the supervisee and to the clinical and supervision competencies of the supervisor. In this article, the authors address the state of the literature on effective clinical supervision and the specific knowledge, skills, and attitudes that comprise competent supervision. A brief summary of research on several particular pivotal areas (e.g. alliance, multicultural competence, legal, and ethical issues) is included. A self-assessment device is provided for both current supervisors and supervisors-in-preparation to assess readiness, competence, and areas in which additional training and experience are desirable. Finally, a vignette illustrating the implementation of effective supervision practices is provided.