Supporting Supervision Scaffolding

As a community, we want to invite clinical supervisors to support supervision scaffolding over gatekeeping. It’s something we were recently discussing with fellow supervisors Alex Castro Croy, Jen Shivey, and Liliana Baylon. Why? Gatekeeping is in direct conflict with our Empowerment Model of Clinical Supervision in wanting clinicians to grow into self-sufficient professionals in practice after seeking licensure. How are we setting these therapists up for success if we are wielding power over them through the decision to sign off on their hours or by expecting them to heavily rely on their supervisors for answers to all their questions? What if they adapt tools and interventions from a cultural lens when engaging their clients? What if they do things slightly out of the box? We aren’t talking about removing structure and rules or ethics. Not at all. We are talking about being open-minded to the differences in clinical style and presentation with the clients being served. Removing barriers to licensure. Supporting accessible trainings and certifications for therapists. Remaining curious and empowering in our leadership as supervisors. How can we do this? With a meaningful shift from gatekeeping towards scaffolding.

 

Scaffolding is like when a building is being built. A sturdy but temporary framework goes up first, surrounding the building as it’s being built one brick at a time. Scaffolding serves the purpose of support and stability as things are being cemented in place. In supervision, scaffolding serves the purpose of supporting a green therapist on their journey to self-sufficiency, helping them along the way. Eventually, the scaffolding is removed and the therapist stands independently in their own work, like what we expect to see after achieving full licensure. How do you know if you are supporting supervision scaffolding in your work as a clinical supervisor?

 

1.     You remain curious with your supervisees

2.     You support their critical thinking and search for answers on their own

3.     You redirect any assumptions they may have that you have all the answers

4.     You remain humble and human in your interactions as a leader

5.     You support their supervision goals

6.     You are aware of power dynamics and do your best to minimize their negative effects in supervision

 

By no means is this an exhaustive list yet we know that scaffolding looks and feels empowering in supervision because it is. Gatekeeping is what has been reinforced in our community so far, with potential problems like abuse of power, exercising too much authority over clinician decision-making or clinical direction, or preventing clinicians from advancing in their careers based on our own limited views and beliefs about their work. We can do better as clinical supervisors. We can lead others instead of direct others. We can remain curious and compassionate as leaders. How can you embrace scaffolding more in your supervision practice? We’d love to hear your thoughts!

Khara Croswaite Brindlesupervision, supervision scaffolding, supervisionary, clinical supervisor, clinical supervision, clinical supervision colorado, clinical supervision training, Colorado clinical supervision