Professional Supervision   

LMSW- Developing Social Workers securing supervision towards licensure

I have provided professional supervision in the State of Connecticut for more than two dozen social workers.  In Connecticut, social workers are required to accumulate 100 hours of clinical supervision by a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who signs off on the hours and submits this verification form to Department of Public Health directly.  

I thoroughly enjoy my time together with colleagues in this capacity.  While there is no formal framework for lilcensure supervision provided in the State of CT, over the years, I have developed a framework that supports a light structure while allowing the supervisee space to introduce topics of concern, time to bring case discussion honoring confidentiality and more.  An example, though not comprehensive is included below.  

Supervision begins with a telephone call for supervisor and supervisee to determine if our time together might be a good fit.  Supervision requires some time for poignant discussion related to sensitive topics as well as transference and counterference issues that surface with our client experiences and having a reasonably good fit for these discussions is important.  My fees for supervision are generally reasonable and when viewing the NASW-CT Supervision Registry finding a qualified LCSW Supervisor wtih related experiences and a reasonable fee are important considerations.  I am honored to be in a role of supporting developing social workers entering the field or securing their license following years of work.

Play Therapy considerations - My training and continuing education in the field of Play Therapy has been extensive.  I will begin working towards my RPT-S over the coming three years.  The Association for Play Therapy requires rigorous and extensive training to achieve and maintain both the RPT (Registered Play Therapist) and RPT-S (Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor) credentials.  

Using play in therapy is common and enjoyable for hopefully all therapists working with children and families.  Where Play Therapy differs is how case conceptualization and planning begins and our work continues through the lens of one of the seminal theories of play therapy (ie Adlerian Play Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Play Therapy, Child Centered Play Therapy, or others).   This approach to assessment, diagnosis and understanding of child development and therapy is critical to how Play Therapy maintains and engages the Therapeutic Powers of Play.

Themes in Supervision - this is not an inclusive list

Understanding Role, and Role versus Person - Exploring how your professional role differs or might overlap with your person

Counter-transference and Transference

Boundaries - within our workplace, with our clients, and ensuring self care

Identifying our small wins, along with the areas of growth

Understanding how policy and procedure, scheduling and importance of how self care aligns within these parameters

Documentation, ethics, test preparation

Understanding how theory learned is seen in the work being done

Case examples along with clinical application