L DiAnne Borders et al, “Trauma-informed supervision of trainees: Practices of supervisors trained in both trauma and clinical supervision”

This article examines trauma-informed supervision. Most individuals within the realm of mental health services receive little, if any, trauma-focused training, putting them at risk for burnout and vicarious trauma. This is particularly true for members of racialized communities and/or those with their own trauma histories.

Implementation of trauma-informed supervision requires:

1. Supervisors to be proactive and intentional in preparing for supervision, including reliance on direct observation of trainees’ clinical work;
2. Supervisors must be mindful about attending to trainees’ emotional regulation to support supervision learning processes;
3. Supervisors should use the adapted affect-cognitive-action approach to structure their sessions with supervisees;
4. Supervisors need to be alert for both expected and unique individual reactions;
5. Supervisors should intentionally plan interventions that normalize, validate, and encourage trainees, along with constructive feedback; and
6. Supervisors should establish contingency plans for supervisees should they need more support.

L DiAnne Borders et al, “Trauma-informed supervision of trainees: Practices of supervisors trained in both trauma and clinical supervision” (2023) 29:2 Traumatology 125.