Issue link: http://ncumarketing.uberflip.com/i/1422368
4 N O R T H C E N T R A L U N I V E R S I T Y: N C U M F T S U P E R V I S O R C O R N E R with specific clients and explore ways to understand and manage difficult emotions. At times, I explore with the supervisee how their own internal working model might be impeding their work with clients and explore their view of self and how that might impact their view of others. Attunement: I find that I do my best work as a supervisor when I allow myself to be emotionally present with the supervisee — aligning and attuning my own internal state with what the therapist is feeling about their work with their clients. It is my hope that they will sense this empathic resonance during supervision, as I believe it helps to create a safe haven where the therapist can learn more effectively while continuously increasing their self-confidence. Working with present process in the supervision session, I try to help therapists connect their own hidden emotions, needs, and vulnerabilities to their action tendencies with clients. I work with therapists in their quest to understand their clients' reactive behaviors as attachment styles and strategies gone awry, rather than seeing them as evidence of character flaws. By following these principles, I work to model both personal empathic responsiveness as well as an intentional process whereby the therapist can better help their clients connect to hidden emotion. Respect: As therapists, we are commonly bound by a commitment to help clients reach their treatment goals. However, I recognize that interventions and processes are delivered through the unique person of the therapist. In my quest to establish a strong working alliance with a supervisee, I work to remain aware and mindful of the therapist's developmental level as a mental health professional, their level of training in their model of choice, their views on their strengths and weaknesses in their clinical work, and their goals for the supervisory experience. While supporting each therapist in learning how to be a professional clinician, I also respect and value their individuality. What do you enjoy most about supervising? I love watching supervisees evolve and grow during the natural developmental stages of becoming a therapist, and I particularly love to witness "aha" moments when they realize they really can "walk with" someone's pain, are able to convey compassion, and can influence clients to reach their treatment goals. My greatest joy comes when I know they have identified and conquered a weakness in their clinical skills and turned them into strengths through practice and determination. How has your supervision been impacted by the increase in telehealth? The COVID-19 pandemic has created multiple challenges for people of all walks of life. However, I have found the changes in laws and policies regarding telehealth to be incredibly supportive and helpful to me as a supervisor and therapist. As licensing boards and universities adjusted their policies and procedures, allowing supervisors to meet with interns and associate therapists virtually, it has allowed much more flexibility with scheduling. Travel time, physical proximity, and other issues were no longer an issue and allowed me to expand my availability. I signed up for trainings that enlarged my virtual supervision skills and required me to be even more in tune with body language, shifts in emotion, and other aspects of meeting via technology.