Martha Stewart and Supervision

by Elsa L. Byler, MA, LPC, LLMFT, NCC

    I left my counseling master's program full of theories, interventions, ethic, enthusiasm, and general idea of how to put it all together.  Like Martha Stewart with a new recipe, I knew it would take time to make it "my own."  However, I was unprepared for the questions, the moments of self-doubt, and the STRESS.  Unlike Martha, I do not have a team of assistants, well-groomed Chows, or a legal team on retainer.  What I do have is clinical supervision.  And for that, I'm glad.

    In my opinion, good supervision is the best learning and support tool around.  Like effective parents, it's the perfect segue from adolescence to adulthood.  Orin this case, new counselor to seasoned.  Whether obtaining suggestions for working with a challenging case, venting about administration, or trying to find your way through the maze of obtaining licensure, you are better armed, more aware, and provide improved service to your clients.

    My current supervision is conducted in a group setting where I benefit from the experience of my peers as well as our supervisors.  Together we perform case reviews, read and review current literature, discuss new/existing theories and interventions, and check in with each other on this journey toward full licensure.  We all have different backgrounds, educations, and areas of interest.  However, together, we make a complex case, have clarity AND measurable treatment goals.

    When looking for supervision I suggest finding someone who is as interested in your personal and professional development as they are obtaining their fee.  Of course, they need to be appropriately credentialed, but there are several other aspects of the experience to consider: Will your supervisor be available to your as questions/emergencies arise?  Even though they are experienced, have they actively pursued maintaining and expanding their current knowledge of the field?  How will supervision be conducted, will it be a monologue about one person's knowledge, or a dialogue that taps into the knowledge each person brings?  Is your supervisor willing to discuss your well-being as well as your caseload?

    These questions are beginning considerations regarding a supervisory relationship.  As individualized as their services are each of us provide, we need to decide and prioritize what we're looking for in a supervisor and then actively seek it.  Unlike Martha Stewart, I may not know how to make curtains out of field grass, but maybe my blessing as a new counselor is knowing what I don't know and having the right resources to figure it out.