Integrating Wellness Concepts within a Clinical Supervision Model

Perceptions of the Wellness Model of Supervision among Counseling Interns

“…Preliminary research has indicated that individuals identifying as counseling students typically demonstrate a higher level of overall wellness when compared to the general population (Myers, Mobley, & Booth, 2003;Lawson & Myers, 2011); however, evidence has also emerged suggesting a negative relationship between overall wellness and the distress experienced during training (Lenz, Sangganjanavanich, Balkin, Oliver, & Smith, 2012;Smith, Robinson, & Young, 2007). These findings have promoted the contention submitted by some authors (Clark, Murdock, & Koetting, 2009;Lawson et al, 2007;Lenz & Smith, 2010;Meyer & Ponton, 2006;Roach & Young, 2007) that counselor education programs may not cultivate meaningful wellness practices and resilience among students. Based on this assumption, it is prudent for counselor educators and supervisors to evaluate current interventions and develop new approaches that may mitigate the deleterious effects that the training process, and working with clients in particular, may have on the wellness of students.…”

“…Some authors (Goodyear, Bunch, & Claiborn, 2005;Shulman, 2005) have regarded clinical supervision as constituting the signature pedagogy of the counseling profession; others suggested that this supportive, developmental context may promote meeting CACREP and ACA requirements for general wellness practices and increase resilience among students (Lawson, 2007;Lenz & Smith, 2010;Meyer & Ponton, 2006). The imperative for focusing on personal wellness is indicated in the abundant accounts of vicarious trauma and compassion fatigue being addressed during supervision (Bober & Regehr, 2006;Harrison & Westwood, 2009;Hesse, 2002;Trippany, Kress, & Wilcoxon, 2004).…”

“…Integrating Wellness within Supervision Lenz and Smith (2010) proposed a model for CIT development that integrates wellness education, assessment, planning, and evaluation in clinical supervision. The Wellness Model of Supervision (WELMS; Lenz & Smith, 2010) is a strengths-based, developmental approach to CIT training based on the principle propositions that the supervisory relationship should ensure client welfare, promote CIT skill development, and positively influence CIT understanding of holistic concepts, participation in self-care activities, and Wellness Model of Supervision 47 coping style.…”

“…Some authors have suggested that well counselors are more helpful to their clients than those experiencing distress and impairment (Lawson & Myers, 2011;Lawson, Venart, Hazler, & Kottler, 2007;Lenz & Smith, 2010;Meyer & Ponton, 2006). In contrast to the spiritual heights of successes with clients, providing mental health services can be a physically, psychologically, and emotionally exhausting endeavor when met with demands for productivity, challenging client populations, restricted program funding, requirements for short-term interventions, or personal life stressors.…”

“…Abel and colleagues (2012) summarized that grades, coursework demands, competition, extreme stress, self-doubt, and remoteness are factors associated with compromised student wellness. Lenz and Smith (2010) proposed that the pressure to convert knowledge into action, tolerate ambiguity, and manage a high-stakes developmental process during practicum and internship may also magnify the effects of these factors. Therefore, supervision models that integrate wellness-related activities may enrich the quality of services provided by counselors and prevent impairment.…”