Show Notes

Kayla: Welcome back to The Designer Practice Podcast, and I’m your host, Kayla Das.

In today’s episode, Dr. Jillian Papineau director of clinical Education at the Culminate Group will share how to become the clinical supervisor you needed when you first started your therapy career.

Hi, Jillian. Welcome to the show. I’m so glad to have you here today.

Jillian: Hey, Kayla, thanks so much for having me. I’m thrilled to be here.

Kayla: Jillian, before we dive into today’s episode, please introduce yourself, where you’re from, and tell us a little bit about you and your practice journey.

Jillian: My name is Jillian Papineau and again, super excited to be here today. This is actually my first podcast being on this side of the mic, so I hope I do it justice on this topic. Essentially, I call myself a very, very proud psychotherapist and clinical supervisor. It’s something that I’m proud to be doing. It means a lot to me. It’s something I’m passionate about.

Originally from Toronto, moved to Ottawa and I’ve been here for some time, mainly because of the career and my role with research and involvement in the community. I have this deep passion for clinical work and growth and development and that’s really what inspired my work at the culminate group. So here as the director of clinical education, I offer clinical supervision and clinical supervision training with a specialization in what makes a good supervisor good.

Kayla: Amazing. So, without further ado, from your experience, are there common trajectories that supervisors take when we think about becoming a supervisor?

Jillian: That’s a great question. It’s one of my favorite ones to answer is my, one of my favorite topics to discuss because I feel as though it’s under discussed. There’s a lot of research on it. We’ve explored trajectories of supervisor growth and development, but we don’t really talk about it enough to support our therapists who make that transition. So personally, I feel like it necessitates more attention, more discussion and hence me being here today.

So in terms of the trajectories of becoming a supervisor, you may be familiar with the term imposter syndrome. Something we’ve heard maybe in pop culture. We’re using it beyond the therapy realm. So very similar process in becoming a supervisor, except we call it role shock. So essentially this therapist making the very brave, courageous choice to become a supervisor. And your initial experience is one of shock, anxiety, self-doubt, discomfort. It’s a very different role. So of course, you’re going to have that discomfort.

Supervision is not therapy. So, when you think of like trajectories of supervisor developments, really you start in this place of uncertainty with practice and growth and support. You sort of consolidate your theory and knowledge with your experiences until you get to a point of increased confidence in yourself as a supervisor, as a clinician overall.

Kayla: And when we think of imposter syndrome. A lot of therapists, especially private practice owners, have likely felt imposter syndrome even as therapists. So, I can see how it would be just as common, if not more, to now be training or supervising other therapists and feeling that same imposter syndrome.

Jillian: Yeah, and I think you hit the nail on the head there, that experience of becoming a supervisor. Not unlike that experience of becoming a therapist. So if you can put yourself back in your therapist’s shoes, student shoes, and remember how anxiety provoking and scary and how everything was so new. And very, very similar when you think about becoming a supervisor. And that’s why new supervisors absolutely need additional support and training and peer support and comfort in the role.

Kayla: Yeah, I completely agree. So, are there specific considerations for new supervisors when conducting clinical supervision?

Jillian: Absolutely. So, I think I’ll answer that question from both an emotional point of view and a practical point of view. And when I say emotional, think of supervisor as a whole person, a practitioner, an individual, an emotional, spiritual being.

So, when you start supervising, of course you’re going to feel all those new feelings, the doubt, the anxiety, that the feeling of being new all over again. So, the question I pose to you is how do you step into the role of a new supervisor and increase your confidence and trust in your instincts, so the instincts you’re bringing in with you.

And so really as a new supervisor, some things to be aware of is your trajectory in your journey of becoming. So when you think of the considerations of becoming a supervisor, it’s important to think of this as an ongoing journey. So, when you start, of course you have to take training, but it doesn’t just stop there. You should continue in your professional development year over year. You should continue practicing with supports. So, think of peer support, supervision of supervision, your own training.

One suggestion I have, which is a very, very difficult one for new supervisors, but to find comfort in ambiguity, which really means when you develop that reflective practice that’s necessary for supervision, you have to be comfortable in the unknown, A hard thing to do, but a very, very important and valuable thing to do for your supervisee. Because it’s not a clear-cut profession. There’s a lot of grayness and your ability to be calm in the grayness. Super important.

With that being said, I always recommend being an authentic presentation of yourself. You don’t have to be perfect. You can be human as a supervisor, you can be imperfect as a supervisor, which is a very valuable lesson to sort of model for your supervisees.

Typically, we have new supervisors who try to do it just like they were in supervision mode, just how their supervisors supervised. And sometimes that’s helpful when you’re just starting off because you have a bit of a model to follow. But ideally, we want your authentic self to really come through.

So those are some of the emotional considerations to be authentic and present and to prepare for the anxiety and sort of doubt you might feel in terms of practical considerations. I always recommend if you’re supervising, have a backup supervisor. Have someone there in case you don’t answer the phone, or you want to go on vacation and you want to have that boundary and be able to disconnect. Backup supervisor. Super important.

Get your documentation down. So have a contract. Know your contract, discuss it with your supervisee. Really, really engage in that informed consent process so everyone’s on the same page.

I recommend knowing your theories to ground your practice. So important to have a framework that you’re practicing in and you’re not just making it up as you go.

And then again, have that peer support network. It’s so helpful to not have to practice in a silo. And to continue being connected with your colleagues in the field.

Kayla: I love that. This goes back to what you mentioned about being authentic, but I also think, and this is whether you’re a therapist, a clinical supervisor, is also to acknowledge that you don’t need to know everything. And I just know from my own experience, I feel very humbled and even respect people more when they’re like, you know what? I don’t know the answer, but let’s problem solve this together. Or let’s try to find the best possible options, or even saying maybe we need to have a third person into this conversation who might be an expert in that area.

I think that it’s also about being authentic and also helping with the self-doubt is that you don’t need to know everything as a clinical supervisor, you just need to help this person find the best possible answer.

Jillian: A hundred percent. And self-awareness and authenticity as a supervisor, these are identified as positive supervisory behaviors. So, we have supervisees that come in and say these qualities in a supervisor, help me feel safe, help me feel comfortable. And allow me to learn. So, it’s a different sort of way of looking at supervision and the supervisor, but this is an imperfect being whose goal is to help you learn and grow.

Kayla: Yeah, I totally agree with you. So, this question gets asked a lot. What are the steps to becoming a clinical supervisor, at least here in Canada? I know we’re going to speak more for the Canadian listeners, but in saying that some of this information is probably applicable to our American as well, but I know that you were speaking from your Canadian understanding and position.

Jillian: Absolutely, and specifically in Ontario, I can speak a little bit more in depth there. So, to become a supervisor in Ontario, you have to have five years of independent practice. Once you graduate from your master’s program, still not independent. So, at that point, you still have to be in supervised practice for a certain amount of time. I believe it’s a thousand hours.

After that you need five years of independent practice. As well as a 30-hour training course. The training course has to be formalized. There has to be an evaluative component to it, and then at that point you can attest to your competency and your skillset as a supervisor.

I do suspect these requirements are going to increase in the next couple of years. Just due to the amount of research that’s looking at supervisor needs and the fact that, yeah, we do need more training and more rigor in the field. For now, it’s the five years of experience and then a 30-hour training course.

Kayla: That makes complete sense. It also depends on your profession, your regulatory body, your jurisdiction. So of course, we know that you’re speaking on behalf of Ontario, but it also depends on like your regulatory body with respect to your requirements.

Jillian: Absolutely. And so, I’m speaking to the College of Registered Psychotherapist of Ontario, which is where I’m registered. We also have the College of Social Workers who have a different set of standards that guide their registration, and ability to be a supervisor as well.

So, you’re absolutely right. You have to know your own standards of practice and requirements fairly well.

Kayla: So one of the biggest worries for new clinical supervisors is the added risk of conducting clinical supervision. Do you have any advice to help clinical supervisors navigate such risk?

Jillian: Absolutely. This is an important question, and again, it’s one I come across often in educating new supervisors. So, my quick answer here is that in this profession, risk is unavoidable. You’ll have risk as a supervisor, as a therapist, as a consultant, or a consultee. So, it’s there. And with that knowledge, it’s important that we take the proper precautions to clarify our practice and to practice within our guidelines and legislation and to do so ethically.

I don’t want risk to be a deterrent to becoming a supervisor because it’s such an important and necessary part of our field. It’s a required competency and role. So, I’m hoping this doesn’t scare anyone off. Rather, I hope it’s the opposite, that you’re more encouraged to become a supervisor, assuming you’re taking all the proper precautions and steps.

I’ll say that there’s been a recent shift to risk mitigation and a focus on risk as a supervisor. And really, it’s important we can’t ignore it, but we also want to remember the ultimate purpose of supervision, which is to know thyself, right? To have this sort of self-reflective, self-awareness, growth process where you’re supporting someone’s growth. While also ensuring proper client care being that gatekeeper to the profession and ensuring everyone’s looked after so important to keep that in mind. Risk will always be there. It’s part of our profession and we have to take the proper steps to protect our practice.

Those steps what I would recommend here would be contracting, so ensure you have a solid contract agreement, a solid informed consent process. Everyone’s on the same page. If there’s anything that’s vague or unclear, you sit down, you talk it through it, and write it out and make sure it’s very, very clear for both parties engaging in the supervision process.

With that being said, documentation, you have to document. Make sure that you as a supervisor are documenting your supervisions as well as your supervisee.

Peer support and consultation. For you, the supervisor. You can’t forget your own support. You don’t want to be supervising alone. So having that connection is so important.

Remember to consult with your legal services if you’re ever unsure. So you should have free consults available through your insurance company. Take advantage of if you have a question, try to reach out.

Know your supervisees. Interview them, connect with them. Know what’s going on their end. Know their skill level. Know what they’re able to handle so that you’re best able to support them.

And then last, but not least, I absolutely recommend continued professional development and training. It doesn’t just stop after your initial course. This is a profession and a competency of ongoing learning and development and to keep engaging in supervision trainings.

Kayla: Absolutely. And I want to go back to one point that you identified was having insurance. As private practitioners, we traditionally have insurance for our therapy practice. Usually, our insurances cover the wide range of our profession. In saying that, it might be important to connect with your insurance provider just to ensure that clinical supervision is covered under that particular clause or policy that you currently have so that if something does happen, you have the insurance and the protection for you and your practice.

So, do you have any additional advice, insights, or tips for listeners about becoming a clinical supervisor?

Jillian: I think some of this might be review for what I’ve said already, but training ground yourself in models of supervision, have a framework that you work with. This really, really supports with your own confidence and your own transition into the competency.

Know the different roles that you serve as a supervisor, whether you’re a mentor, a teacher, a consultant, have a firm understanding of the role itself. Then I’d say prepare yourself for role shock. That is a normal expected experience and the better you’re able to go with it and feel it, the easier it is to move through and understand your needs and address them.

Then last but not least, peer support. Try to get supervision for your supervision so that you can continue learning and doing so in a very collegial kind of environment.

Kayla: I love that. Jillian, you have a training that you’d like to share. Can you tell us a little bit about what it is and how it can help listeners?

Jillian: Yes. So, I recently had the honor and privilege of supporting a colleague of mine in presenting this training on legal considerations in consultation and supervision. It was an absolutely eye-opening experience. This is a good colleague named Dr. Micheala Slipp, who’s done a lot of research in the field on liability from the supervisor’s perspective.

So, it’s a great training. I learn a lot. I think it will help you understand where liability falls. Whether it’s vicarious or direct liability, and I think it’ll help add more confidence to your practice.

Kayla: Amazing. So, to sign up for Jillian’s training, Legal Considerations in Consultation and Supervision. Check out kayladas.com/jillianpapineautraining

Or you can simply scroll down to the show notes and click on the link.

Jillian, can you also share what your website is as well?

Jillian: So, our clinic operates from the Culminate Group, so culminategroup.ca and it’s group of clinicians with a focus on professional growth and developments, we hope to offer high quality care, but also look after our own professional development needs.

So, you can go there to learn a little bit more, and it also directs you to our training site on clinical supervision as well as other topics.

Kayla: Fabulous. Jillian, thank you so much for joining us on the podcast today to discuss the steps for becoming a clinical supervisor.

Jillian: Amazing. Thank you for having me.

Kayla: And thank you everyone for tuning into today’s episode, and I hope you join me again soon the Designer Practice Podcast.

Until next time. Bye for now.

Credits & Disclaimers

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