Shalem is excited to be offering a new clinical supervision group that will be meeting monthly at our Hamilton office. In addition, we will be collaborating to provide training for new supervisors in a 30-hour Fundamentals of Clinical Supervision Course this spring.
Shalem has a long history of valuing clinical supervision, which promotes clinical excellence for clients and professional development for therapists. Shalem’s Clinical Director, Jennifer Bowen, offers regular individual supervision of each of Shalem’s clinical staff, in addition to our monthly clinical team meetings. Clinical supervision is always done in ways that protect the identities and honour the stories of the clients being served.
In addition to supervision of our own clinical staff, Shalem offers individual supervision to therapists outside of our agency. This external supervision is often requested by therapists new to the field who are seeking to become fully certified by a governing body such as the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) or the Canadian Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (CAMFT). As well, experienced therapists benefit from consultations at times when they need another perspective on a clinical situation.
As the requests for clinical supervision continue to increase, Shalem decided to find additional ways to meet the need. At times it has worked to pair up supervisees when schedules fit, allowing for additional connections and input. However, when enough people expressed an interest in sharing supervision time and costs, the opportunity for a group developed.
Group supervision has several significant advantages. Not only is it a very cost-effective way to accumulate required supervision hours, it is also a rich learning experience in which professionals are able to support, encourage and learn from each other. For those working on their own or in isolated practices, having a group of colleagues to meet with regularly is very beneficial.
In conversations with other professionals and agencies in Ontario, it has become evident that there are not enough trained clinical supervisors to meet the demand. In response, Shalem decided to offer a course for experienced therapists who want to become clinical supervisors themselves.
The Fundamentals of Clinical Supervision Course will be held in the Hamilton area on April 25-26 and May 8-9, 2020. This four-day (30-hour) course is for psychotherapists, couple & family therapists and social workers interested in developing their supervision knowledge and skills. This course has been pre-approved by CAMFT and is designed for professionals wishing to meet the requirements to serve as a supervisor for CRPO or pursue the CAMFT Supervisory Designation or to further develop their supervision skills.
The instructors for the course are Brenda Bolliger MSW, RSW, RMFT-SM and Susan Winter Fledderus RP, RMFT-SM, RSW. Both Brenda and Susan bring a dynamic teaching style and have provided training, consultation and supervision in the field of Individual, Couple and Family therapy for over 20 years.
For more information about the course and how to register, check out this flyer or visit Shalem’s website.
There is also still room for one or two more participants to join the supervision group. If this interests you, you can find more information on Shalem’s website or by emailing Susan.
Shalem is excited to continue to provide leadership and opportunities for growth in both clinical work and supervision.
Susan Winter Fledderus is a Clinical Therapist with Shalem Mental Health Network