One of the most meaningful and impactful experiences in the Ph.D. program has been the strengthening of my supervisory skills through the course COUC 714 Supervision and Consultation with Dr. John Thomas. I have been a Licensed Professional Counselor Approved Supervisor for the Texas State Board of Professional Counselors for 10 years. Nonetheless, the training I have received during the doctoral journey in this course developed my leadership level knowledge, skills, and practices in this competency beyond what I have been able to do before. My supervision training for the state board focused on theoretical approaches and ethics rather than practical skills and consultation. After this course and the supervision internship, my skills have improved 100% than what it was before as evidenced by the mastery acquired in being able to transition from roles in the Discrimination Model of Supervision smoothly. Through each transition, my supervisees have reported increased satisfaction and competency of their work with clients.
Professionally I feel more confident of the quality of work and service I provide and personally, I have grown to be a more sensitive and patient supervisor. I developed the ability to assess the supervisee’s developmental level quicker than before and provide the psychoeducational, clinical, and supervisory tools needed. My students have reported that my supervisory style has helped them develop and strengthen their competencies quicker than their counterparts due to the more frequent use of videos and verbatims.
One way I plan to utilize this strength in my vocation is through implementing my own supervisory curriculum and logs for practicum students and first-year residents where a list of competencies is outlined for the first semester and year. My current students under practicum supervision have reported that although now they have more requirements they feel better prepared when they are working with clients. One area of continued growth opportunity in this area is to continue to learn of the latest empirical research in supervision to ensure my students have the best level of care/supervision.
My faith in Christ relates to this competency in encouraging me to continue to be excellent in everything I do. Colossians 3:17 says, “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” By being the best supervisor to the glory of God I can be the best supervisor, educator, and role model for my students.
Supervision: CACREP Doctoral Competencies (2016)
a. Purposes of clinical supervision
b. Theoretical frameworks and models of clinical supervision
c. Roles and relationships related to clinical supervision
d. Skills of clinical supervision
e. Opportunities for developing a personal style of clinical supervision
f. Assessment of supervisees’ developmental level and other relevant characteristics
g. Modalities of clinical supervision and the use of technology
h. Administrative procedures and responsibilities related to clinical supervision
i. Evaluation, remediation, and gatekeeping in clinical supervision
j. Legal and ethical issues and responsibilities in clinical supervision
k. Culturally relevant strategies for conducting clinical supervision
Mastery level of knowledge and skill is demonstrated in the following CACREP competencies under the Supervision standard: (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), (h), (i), (j), and (k).
Artifact 1 – Supervision Informed Consent –This assignment was graded with perfect score and a note from the professor Dr. John Thomas indicating “Very professional. You captured all the key areas.” Evidence of mastery ispresented by Dr. Thomas’ feedback indicating that all important areas of an informed consent were captured.
Artifact 2 – Supervision Presentation Power Point and Rubric Graded
Artifact 3 – Supervision Video 1
Artifact 4 – Supervision Video 1 Graded
Artifact 5 - Research Study Proposal
Artifact 6 - Consultation Paper Graded
Artifact 7 - Supervision Video 2
Artifact 8 - Supervision Video 2 Graded
Artifact 9 – Personal Model of Supervision
The previous artifacts 1 through 8 were documents were created for the doctoral course COUC 714 Supervision and Consultation where I earned a letter grade of A.
Artifact 10 - Supervision Evaluation from Interns
Artifact 11 – Faculty Evaluation of Supervision Internship - This evaluation was conducted by Dr. Cynthia Doney who was my Faculty Supervisor for the Supervision Internship course in addition to Dr. Deacon.
The evaluations included in artifacts 10 and 11 were during my supervision internship where I supervised master’s level students enrolled in their Professional Counseling Internship (COUN 699). I was assigned to be the co-instructor and supervisor with Dr. Cynthia Doney. Every week I supervised three sessions of internship with 10 to 13 students in each section. I was also assigned to have didactic responsibilities in every session in addition to the supervision responsibilities.
Supervision Reflection
Supervision
Zoricelis Davila, Ph.D. LPC-S, NCC
Licensed Professional Counselor - Supervisor
Consejeria Bilingue y Psicoterapia