Ethical issues in supervision.

Abstract

With growing concern for accountability and consumer rights in professional practice, current ethical standards are reviewed as they apply to the supervision of psychotherapy. Potential ethical dilemmas for supervisors are discussed, and a number of possible solutions are suggested. The pressing need for research to clarify the qualitative as well as quantitative aspects of the supervisory process is also noted.

The Relationship of Supervisory Experience, Counseling Experience, and Training in Supervision to Supervisory Identity Development

“…Hillman et al (1998), Rodenhauser (1995), Klein (1993), Ellis and Douce (1994), and Minnes (1987) state there is a paradox in counseling supervision training, namely, while the supervisory role is considered important, training in how to be a supervisor is very limited. While training in supervision for doctoral students in counselor education programs accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs may be required and be recommended for other programs (Borders et al 1991;Dye and Borders 1990), many professionals providing counseling services report no training in supervision (Johnson and Stewart 2000;Robiner et al 1997).…”

Psychotherapy Supervisor Ethical Practices

“…In particular, many counseling programs do not offer systematic training in supervision (Borders & Leddick, 1988), and the basis of supervisors' knowledge about supervision often comes from being supervised themselves rather than from explicit training experiences (Minnes, 1987). In particular, many counseling programs do not offer systematic training in supervision (Borders & Leddick, 1988), and the basis of supervisors' knowledge about supervision often comes from being supervised themselves rather than from explicit training experiences (Minnes, 1987).…”

“…Additional education and training seems particularly salient in light of the limited supervision training many supervisors receive (Borders & Leddick, 1988;Minnes, 1987) and because psychologists may be engaged in more supervisory activities than they have been traditionally engaged in, as a result of managed health care (Cummings, 1995). It may be that many supervisors are unaware that ethical guidelines exist, due to how slow the supervision profession has been to develop and publish ethical guidelines.…”

“…In the former case, exploring countertransference is an agreed on practice by many supervision models (Minnes, 1987;Newman, 1981). An additional type of dual role that has been discussed in the supervision literature is the supervisor taking on the role of the counselor or therapist.…”

A Practical Guide to Informed Consent in Clinical Supervision

“…Within clinical supervision, Informed consent is a commonly noted ethical issue (cf. Harrar, VandeCreek, & Knapp, 1990;Kurpius, Gibson, Lewis, & Corbet, 1991;Minnes, 1987;Sherry, 1991) that generally refers to the identification of supervision parameters including methods, requirements, responsibilities of the supervisor and supervisee, evaluation format, and due process procedures (Bernard & Goodyear, 1992;Borders & Leddick, 1987;Sherry. 1991).…”