The Supervision Training Program comprises a one-year curriculum which provides experienced supervisors and those interested in psychotherapy supervision a background in the theory and practice of supervision from a psychodynamic perspective, and provides an opportunity to look more deeply into the complexity of constructing a positive supervisory environment. For many decades, standard practice was that any credentialed psychotherapist could be a supervisor. Traditionally, most supervisors, from the newly minted through the advanced professional, have had to invent their own versions of supervision, cobbled together from the bits and pieces of their own supervisory experiences, without grounding in theory or practical guidance. Recently, as people have looked at the teaching and learning of psychotherapy, supervision has taken on a focus of its own, as more than just a client-centered experience or an extension of the psychotherapeutic process. This program provides a comprehensive view of the overlaps and differences between supervision and psychotherapy, and examines how conscious and unconscious forces, both within and between supervisor and supervisee, must be addressed for the supervisory experience to be effective.
CURRICULUM
The Program consists of eight three-hour, once-monthly meetings, each devoted to a different topic. The first half of each session is a didactic and clinical exploration of that day’s topic led by members of the faculty, who are experienced supervisors. The second part is an ongoing, experiential supervision group led by one faculty member for the entire year.
TOPICS
- The Supervisory Contract
- The Supervisory Relationship
- Manifestations of the Unconscious in Supervision
- Supervisory Interventions
- Anxiety and Esteem in Supervisor and Supervisee
- Negative Supervisory Experience • Gender, Race, and Culture
- Professional, Legal, and Ethical Issues
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Participants will be able to:
- Conduct supervision using an affectively-based model, paying attention to the conscious and unconscious material that arises, with a deeper understanding of unconscious processes at work in the client/therapist relationship.
- Apply knowledge of these processes, with their related theoretical concepts and techniques, to understanding and thinking about impasses in the supervision and in the cases they are supervising.
- Identify the ways in which cultural differences can influence the supervisory alliance.
SCHEDULE
Classes meet on a monthly basis from 9:00 am to 12:00pm on Saturday mornings from October through May at the Washington School of Psychiatry.
ELIGIBILITY AND SELECTION
Students must be licensed in a mental health discipline, and be working in a supervisory capacity or have had supervisory experience. The selection process for each applicant will begin as soon as the application is received. Applications will be processed until the class is filled. Classes have typically had more applicants than there is space available, so early submission will maximize the likelihood that the application will receive consideration. Selection of students is done on an individual basis. The deadline for submission of applications is August 1. For further information contact Barry J. Wepman, Ph.D. at bjwep@aol.com or, by phone at (202) 337-0705.
FACULTY
Barry J. Wepman, Ph.D. , Chair
Kathryn J. Chefetz, LCSW, MSW
Kristina C. MacGaffin, MSW
William Pinney, Ph.D.
Linda Stern, Ph.D.
Jonathan Stillerman, Ph.D.
Cherian Verghese, Ph.D
TUITION
Tuition for the 2011– 2012 academic year is $720. The $50 application fee is nonrefundable.
Limited scholarship money may be available, based on need and merit. See