Address the following
1.Describe an analysis of the supervisory skills required in supervising a therapist whose
client has developed feelings for the therapist.
Explain whether the same or different supervisory skills would be required if the therapist
developed feelings for the client.
2.As a supervisor, describe how you might most effectively approach the situation.
3.Include a description of the supervisory skills on which you would rely in each situation.
Use the following reference
Ladany, N., Nelson, M. L., & Friedlander, M. L. (2005a). Addressing problematic
emotions, attitudes, and behaviors: Counseling in versus counseling out. In Critical events
in psychotherapy supervision: An interpersonal approach (pp. 183-210). Washington, DC:
American Psychological Association.
Supervisory Skills
The major work of an occupational therapy supervisor is to supervise, plan and ensure a
safe delivery of therapy and counseling programs to the clients. In such a course, the supervisor
in occupational therapy has to constantly monitor the performance of therapy staff while dealing
with clients. In the case of a client happening to develop feelings towards his therapists, the
supervisor is required to harbor a number of skills that will enable him or her to effectively
monitor the performance of the therapists towards the client. Among such skills are capabilities
in ethics compliance competency and health care policy, which will enable him to effectively
deal with the ethical issues surrounding the situation. With these abilities, he will be able to
approach the client and inform her of the implications of ethical misconduct between her and any
health staff. He will also be able to talk with the therapists on the importance of adhering to
healthcare policies, and ethics as well as the best way of dealing with the client’s affection issues
(Ladany et al, 2005).
SUPERVISORY SKILLS 2
A therapist supervisor must have a wide knowledge in healthcare regulations, and
policies in clinical practice. Further, he/she must possess knowledge on applicable laws so as to
effectively inform the therapist on the legal implications and consequences of performing
unethical acts or developing feelings for clients. The supervisor should also have an
understanding on policies that govern proper clinical practice. This will also enable them to
identify sections that would have been breached by the therapist in case he/she engages himself
in unethical conduct. Without such knowledge, the supervisor may not be able to approach the
issue affectively. Finally, this person should also have capabilities on how to demonstrate ethical
behavior in different contexts. This knowledge is essential in not only dealing with the issue at
hand, but also many similar issues (Brodsky, 2008). The supervisor should also have leadership
abilities since his work entails directing the therapists and other workers on performing their
work. The supervisor may also apply these skills and competencies in dealing with the case of a
therapist developing feelings for the client.
How to Deal With the Situation at Hand
As a supervisor, I will first start dealing with this issue by reminding the concerned
therapist on the policies and ethical requirements in his area of practice. I will also remind him
on what his duties are, procedural considerations, and his scope of competency and practice. This
is expected to enable the therapist perform only what is required of his practice and deal with any
ethical issues that may arise from this conduct. In particular, knowledge in ethical behavior and
standards will assist me as the supervisor, to focus on and clarify the ethical aspects and
responsibilities which the therapist is expected to adhere to in his practice. I do understand that
my responsibility as a supervisor is to monitor the therapist and ensure that he provides
SUPERVISORY SKILLS 3
satisfactory services to the clients. This Knowledge in ethical standards will assist me to coach
the therapist on the necessity of respecting integrity and promoting the client’s welfare.
Apparently, as a supervisor, I am required to act wisely, be knowledgeable on clinical
policies and all ethical standards, and be aware of the conduct and performance of the therapist.
This also means that I must harbor legal knowledge and implications on the case and situation
surrounding the therapist/client relationship. Also in the case when the a client develops feelings
towards the therapist or vice versa, I will need to be very close in the whole counseling process
so as to prevent any ethical and legal breaches that may arise.
SUPERVISORY SKILLS 4
References
Brodsky, A (2008). Clinical Supervision, The New Handbook of Counseling Supervision.
Ladany, N., Nelson, M. L., & Friedlander, M. L. (2005a). Addressing problematic emotions,
attitudes, and behaviors: Counseling in versus counseling out. In Critical events in
psychotherapy supervision: An interpersonal approach (pp. 183–210). Washington, DC:
American Psychological Association.