Supervision in Public Sector Behavioral Health: A Review

Abstract

Supervision plays a key role in the provision of health and human services. An extensive literature exists on supervision as an element of professional development in behavioral health care. However, much less attention has been given to the practice of supervision in publicly funded systems of care for persons with mental and substance use conditions. This article provides a comprehensive review of the literature on supervision in the public sector, highlighting its current status, definition, functions, competencies, applicable standards and requirements, training approaches, and outcomes. Recommended strategies for restoring and advancing supervision as an essential practice in systems of care are discussed.

Evaluation of a youth agency's supervision practices: A mixed-method approach

“…Given the reality that most agencies who provide mental health services to the population generally receive little on-the-job supervision, while having to contend with an increasingly complex workplace (multidisciplinary teams addressing increasingly complex client presentations), the need for regular quality supervision, competency-based supervision training and interdisciplinary competency training are paramount (Bogo et al, 2011;Hoge et al, 2011;Schoenwald et al, 2009). However, how this can be achieved remains a challenge.…”

“…For example, the shift from facility-based to community-based services has been linked to increasing caseloads, increasingly complex presentations of clients, and increasing autonomy in service provision (Hoge et al, 2011). At the same time, research indicates that effective supervision can affect job retention and turnover, increase job satisfaction and promote quality of client care (Bogo et al, 2011;Lambert et al, 2003;Mor Barak, Travis, Pyun, & Xie, 2009;Shoenwald, Sheidow, & Chapman, 2009).…”

“…In addition, while supervision was common practice in most agencies and publicly funded programs in mental health, recent reviews suggests that the practice of clinical supervision has declined over the last decades (Giddings, Cleveland, & Smith, 2006;Hoge, Migdole, Farkas, Ponce, & Hunnicutt, 2011). The reality of the current work context in many agencies requires clinical supervisors to supervise professionals and staff from different fields of work, where different models of supervision coexist.…”

“…supervision, while its practice has become more complex over time (Bogo et al, 2011;Hoge et al, 2011). For example, the shift from facility-based to community-based services has been linked to increasing caseloads, increasingly complex presentations of clients, and increasing autonomy in service provision (Hoge et al, 2011).…”

Workforce Development and Mental Health Transformation: A State Perspective

“…Supervisors were identified as one of the most influential segments of the workforce given their role in staff recruitment, orientation, supervision, performance evaluations, and administration (Hoge et al 2011). Direct care staff, agency leaders, and policy makers expressed strong concerns that the routine provision of supervision had declined significantly within the state and that the majority of supervisors had never been trained in how to supervise.…”