The course is endorsed by ACMHN, endorsed by ACA as an Approved Supervision Course and accredited by PACFA to meet the requirements of PACFA’s Supervision Training Standards. 

ABOUT THE COURSE:

Successful completion of this course provides participants with the Certificate of Supervisor Accreditation. This PACFA accredited training allows participants to apply to PACFA for accreditation as a PACFA Accredited Supervisor. Applicants must contact PACFA directly regarding accreditation criteria.

Course Outline

The aim of this course is to provide a framework for conducting and evaluating effective clinical supervision using a competency based framework incorporating reflective practice. Participants will develop the necessary skills for setting up a rewarding clinical supervision relationship to enhance supervisee learning and skill development, considering the systemic issues of their workplace/team and client group. 
 

This is a digital interactive workbook covering the fundamentals, key principles, theory and practice of supervision. The modules include topics such as Models of Clinical Supervision, Preparing for Supervision, Methods and Techniques, application of Reflective and Reflexive Practice, Ethical Issues and Evaluation & Feedback. This learning package includes webinars, video session examples, interactive tasks including quizzes, peer-reviewed references and supervision handouts as resources and a self-assessment quiz.

Module 1: Overview of Supervision
Module 2: Models of Clinical Supervision
Module 3: Preparing for Supervision
Module 4: Methods and Techniques
Module 5: Reflective Practice
Module 6: Ethical Issues
Module 7: Evaluation and feedback.

Workbook material includes a range of evidence-based peer-reviewed readings, video examples of supervision session setup, contract setting, delivery of supervision vignette examples and reflective tasks to enhance learning.  Course material is based on current Australian and international evidence-based literature on the practice of clinical supervision in counselling and psychotherapy practice.  Also included are supervision practice handouts for immediate use in your supervisory role. 
 

The topics covered in the 3-day workshop include the competencies listed in the PACFA Supervision Training Standards 2020. These include topics such as structuring supervision, facilitating reflective practice, developing the supervisee’s practice skills, enhancing ethical practice, fostering supervisee competence, reviewing a variety of formats (individual, group and peer).

The workshop includes a variety of learning methods including lecture seminar presentations, video demonstrations, participant group discussions, practice dyads, experiential learning and feedback. This workshop builds on the material presented in the online modules with set readings included.

Objectives

At the completion of the workshop, participants will be able to:

• understand the key concepts involved in setting up and maintaining a collaborative clinical supervision relationship, using evidence based practice and considering professional practice and workplace guidelines 
• have a well-defined theoretical understanding from which to base clinical supervision practice
• identify the roles and responsibilities within a clinical supervision framework, including consideration of the ethical and legal parameters of clinical practice
• discuss prospective supervisor’s and supervisee’s knowledge and understanding of the supervisory process
• be able to identify the supervisee’s strengths and needs for supervision
• demonstrate and provide information on how to structure individual, peer and group supervision sessions
• explore and provide a framework on how to give feedback regarding clinical practice and case management
• learn how to deal with ‘crises’ and stressful situations which may arise for the supervisee in regards to their clinical practice
• identify and provide information on how to evaluate supervision sessions and maximise supervisee professional development
• develop skills to balance both administrative and clinical responsibilities.

The training program then transitions to delivery of learning in small groups tutorial style. These supervisor trainee groups follow the three-day workshop and are held over a four-month period to consolidate learning alongside delivery of supervision practice in their workplaces. These smaller groups include tutorial-based discussion on key supervision practice and processes using learning methods like seminar presentations, group discussions, enhancing reflective practice, deliberate practice methods; implementation practice-based dilemmas, working through ruptures in supervision and feedback strategies.

Enrolees will provide 10 hours of providing supervision to a practitioner where the discussion and review is based on client care.  This provision of supervision will occur during the training period of this program. The trainee supervisor presents a log of these hours to the lecturer for review and verification. An additional 3 hours will take place in a Supervision on Supervision format for each trainee supervisor. In this section, each participant will be asked to present three examples of their supervision practice which occurred during the training period via a recording or detailed account. This Supervision on Supervision will consist of experiential learning, group discussion and reflective practice facilitated by the lecturer providing feedback including possible improvements to their practice as supervisors. These groups provide enhanced opportunities for shared learning using the supervision group reflective process.

PRESENTER: Sam Vasta BA, B Soc Studies, M Arts (Counselling)

Sam Vasta is an accredited PsyBA Supervisor Trainer and approved supervisor. He has worked extensively in the community mental health sector, having worked as a frontline mental health clinician and in various managerial roles for over 35 years where he has developed competencies in managing the complexities involved with mental health presentations. Sam has provided considerable supervision to staff working in public mental health, private psychology practice and community-managed organisations who provide direct clinical services. He has also provided tailored accredited training in providing effective supervision to various organisations and practitioners. Sam has a background in providing systemic, narrative and cognitive psychotherapy-based supervision to practitioners, in addition to supporting team leaders/managers who work more broadly in their supervision of staff. He also has experience in both individual and group supervision across a variety of settings including overseas based services.

Currently, Sam also provides individual and group supervision to a range of practitioners across various government, NGO and private sector settings. Given his background and extensive experience, he also offers consultation, supervision and mentoring to Team Leaders and Managers to support them to survive and grow in challenging leadership positions.
 

The course is endorsed by ACMHN, endorsed by ACA as an Approved Supervision Course and accredited by PACFA to meet the requirements of PACFA’s Supervision Training Standards.