The ethics of supervision and consultation: Practical guidance for mental health professionals.

Clinical Supervision of Psychotherapy: Essential Ethics Issues for Supervisors and Supervisees

“…Just as with psychotherapy, assessment, and all other professional services mental health clinicians provide, and consistent with Standard 3.10, Informed Consent, of the APA Ethics Code (APA, 2010), it is essential that a thorough informed consent process be engaged in at the outset of the supervisory relationship (Bernard & Goodyear, 2014;Falender, 2011;Thomas, 2007Thomas, , 2010. This can take the form of a supervisory contract or agreement that is signed by both parties (for sample supervision contracts, see Bernard & Goodyear, 2014;Falender, 2011;Thomas, 2007Thomas, , 2010.…”

“…At a minimum, this agreement should include the following topics: expectations, responsibilities, and obligations of both supervisor and supervisee; any fees and financial arrangements relevant to the supervisory relationship; scheduling and emergency contact information; documentation and record keeping requirements; the use of any audio and video recording; evaluation and feedback to include the expectations and requirements for successful completion of the training experience; expectations for confidentiality and any reasonably anticipated limits to confidentiality; legal requirements such as mandatory reporting requirements; expectations for use of the supervisor and when the supervisee should contact him or her; and information about how and when the supervisory relationship will be ended (Barnett, 2011;Bernard & Goodyear, 2014;Falender, 2011;Thomas, 2007Thomas, , 2010.…”

“…It is also important to note that multiple relationships may be beneficial to the supervisee (Thomas, 2010). For example, a supervisor who has evaluative authority and who maintains responsibility for monitoring his or her supervisee's clinical activity may be simultaneously working with the supervisee on a research project or presenting at a conference with the supervisee.…”

“…For example, a supervisor who has evaluative authority and who maintains responsibility for monitoring his or her supervisee's clinical activity may be simultaneously working with the supervisee on a research project or presenting at a conference with the supervisee. Thus, multiple relationships between clinical supervisors and supervisees can be beneficial so long as they appropriately foster the supervisee's professional development and are not exploitative in nature (Thomas, 2010).…”

“…This can take the form of a supervisory contract or agreement that is signed by both parties (for sample supervision contracts, see Bernard & Goodyear, 2014;Falender, 2011;Thomas, 2007Thomas, , 2010.…”