Stellar Supervision Series: Supervising Large Teams
Photo by Hannah Busing on Unsplash
Stellar Supervision Series is a video series featuring clinical supervisors who provide empowered leadership ideas that shape the field of mental health. Meredith’s video interview on Supervising Large Teams can be found here.
Hi Meredith. Thank you so much for being part of this series! Tell our viewers who you are and what you do! Why do you offer Supervision?
My name is Meredith Velasquez, LCSW, LAC, ACS and I am the Program Director of a local nonprofit that provides free assessment and case management for youth and families. I manage the clinical team and started to offer supervision because it became a natural progression for me in my skill set. I also realize how important having a supervisor who understands what you do is, and there are not many agencies or supervisors that I have met, who truly value the SKILL of assessment as much as I do.
I also take a few clients on the side in a small private practice, typically ages 17-20 years old.
One of your supervision skills I want to highlight is large team or agency supervision. Why is this important to you?
It is important because almost all clinicians/therapists/social workers, etc. get their first supervision interaction amongst large teams and supervisors who are juggling a team, a caseload, administrative tasks and so much more. We need to change the trauma and horror stories and recreate a system that supports supervisors. A lot of supervision roles were given because they were supervised, and that gives them the experience. That is no longer an acceptable qualification.
What does this challenge look like in supervision?
It looks like juggling a lot of different things; your schedule, tasks, clients, urgent matters, etc. Whoever walks in your door or whatever lands on your desk. The expectation can feel like you are the only one there to mitigate all crises and answer every question. That is heavy and unrealistic of anyone.
It looks like a great way to test a supervisor’s boundaries, knowledge, capacity, and time management skills. There are also agencies who may not recognize the true value and responsibility supervision can be. This means you are juggling an entire team, your own caseload, and expected to put your schedule on the back burner when it comes to attending meetings, trainings, etc.
What ideas do you have for supervisors to help supervisees with being effective with large teams? Skills or questions to ask?
Build Real Relationships and rapport with your team. Get to know them, their experiences, and goals.
Empower the team. Natural leaders will emerge and have the capability to take on tasks.
Establish clear communication channels and limitations. Have great boundaries.
Stay up to date on trainings, modalities, trends, and resources for the team.
Assure you are aware of licensure processes with DORA and supervision.
Seek feedback from the team, good and bad, in a formal process where they feel comfortable sharing.
Prioritize your scheduled time with each team member.
Meet as a group regularly. Group supervision is a great place where everyone can learn from each other.
Have fun together! Schedule team building, happy hours, outings, walks, etc.
Admit you don’t know everything. You cannot be everything to everyone. You have to learn together. People appreciate genuine honesty, not a “know it all.”
Where can people find you to work with you?
Best way is to call me, 720-422-7253 or if you prefer, email me meredithvelasquez84@gmail.com