Supervision

Clinical supervision is a vital component of therapeutic practices, including Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Trauma-Informed Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT-TI), and Stabilisation-Based Therapy. Dr. King offers clinical supervision for clinicians interested in working with clients with maladaptive under control (emotion dysregulation, borderline personality disorder, complex PTSD or who are seeking an approach to stabilise their clients using a trauma informed approach.

Clinical Supervision in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT):

1. Skill Development: In DBT clinical supervision, therapists receive guidance and support in honing their DBT-specific skills, such as mindfulness techniques, emotional regulation strategies, interpersonal effectiveness, and distress tolerance skills. Supervisors help therapists become proficient in teaching these skills to their clients.
2. Case Consultation: DBT clinical supervision often involves in-depth case consultations. Therapists present their challenging cases to their supervisors, discussing clinical issues, treatment planning, and strategies for addressing complex and high-risk behaviors, such as self-harm and suicidal ideation.
3. Adherence to the DBT Model: Supervision ensures therapists adhere to the comprehensive DBT model, maintaining fidelity to its core principles and strategies. Supervisors help therapists integrate the dialectical philosophy into their work and ensure they are using a balanced approach of acceptance and change-oriented techniques.
4. Feedback and Skill Assessment: Therapists receive constructive feedback on their clinical work and progress. Supervisors may assess therapists’ use of specific DBT techniques and their ability to balance validation and change strategies effectively.
5. Self-Care and Burnout Prevention: Supervision addresses therapist self-care and burnout prevention, as working with clients who have complex emotional struggles can be emotionally demanding. Supervisors help therapists develop strategies to maintain their own well-being.

Clinical Supervision in Trauma-Informed Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT-TI):

1. Trauma Sensitivity: DBT-TI supervision focuses on integrating trauma-informed principles into DBT practice. Supervisors guide therapists in recognizing and responding to the impact of trauma on clients and ensuring a safe and sensitive therapeutic environment.
2. Understanding Trauma Dynamics: Supervision includes discussions about the dynamics of trauma, such as triggers, dissociation, and re-enactment. Therapists learn to tailor interventions to address trauma-related issues.
3. Safety Planning: Supervisors assist therapists in developing and implementing safety plans for clients with trauma histories, helping therapists address self-harm, suicidal ideation, and other high-risk behaviors with a trauma-informed approach.
4. Complex Case Management: DBT-TI supervision often deals with complex cases involving both trauma and emotion regulation issues. Therapists receive guidance on how to effectively treat clients who have experienced trauma while using DBT informed strategies.

Clinical Supervision in Stabilization-Based Therapy:

1. Stabilization Techniques: Stabilization-Based Therapy supervision focuses on teaching therapists how to use stabilization techniques effectively to help clients regain emotional equilibrium and reduce distress.
2. Crisis Intervention: Supervision addresses crisis intervention strategies to manage immediate risks and ensure the safety of clients in crisis. Therapists learn how to assess risk factors and respond appropriately.
3. Safety Planning: Supervisors assist therapists in developing and implementing safety plans tailored to clients’ stabilization needs, including strategies to reduce self-harm, suicidal ideation, and other crisis-related behaviors.
4. Complex Trauma Cases: Stabilization-based therapy often addresses clients with complex trauma histories. Supervision provides guidance on treating clients with trauma-induced emotional dysregulation and the use of stabilization techniques in such cases.
5. Progress Monitoring: Supervision includes monitoring and assessing client progress in stabilization. Therapists learn how to track improvements and adjust treatment plans accordingly.

In all three therapeutic approaches, clinical supervision plays a crucial role in ensuring therapists provide effective and ethical care while addressing the unique needs of their clients. It helps therapists develop competence, maintain ethical standards, and enhance their ability to provide evidence-based treatments.