![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jane d on January 1, 2004, at 15:13:03
I have this general idea that it's asking for help on specific problems, rather than the advice a trainee gets on how to handle their cases but I'm not sure if that's right. Is this something all therapists do or just an ideal? Something beginners do? Is there any obligation to inform the patient (client - whatever) that there is now a third party involved in the "therapeutic relationship"? I'd appreciate any information that all of you can give me.
Thanks,
Jane
Posted by Dinah on January 1, 2004, at 15:46:13
In reply to Supervision? Exactly what is it?, posted by jane d on January 1, 2004, at 15:13:03
Well, howdy Jane. :)
I happened to speak to this with my therapist the other day.
He said he meets with a group of colleagues on a regular basis and they discuss problems they're having. He says he doesn't discuss the client, only his problems in being an effective therapist.
But I think, and my therapist agrees, that if there are any problems beyond the usual with a particular case that a therapist should seek supervision. I don't think they need to tell the client, but I also don't think they reveal anything much about the client.
He says he hasn't discussed my case with anyone for quite a while.
Posted by gardenergirl on January 1, 2004, at 16:40:46
In reply to Supervision? Exactly what is it?, posted by jane d on January 1, 2004, at 15:13:03
Jane,
As a trainee, I am required to receive supervision at least one hour per week. We go over specific questions I have about my cases and how they are going. We also talk at times about how my own issues and values can influence how I go about doing therapy or what's happening in sessions.Once you are out, you are not required to receive supervision. Many new psychologists, and also those with experience do make arrangements for consultation with others. It's ethically and at times legally required in high risk cases such as suicide and in ethical dilemmas.
I'm not sure if the psychologist is required to disclose the consultation. I know as a trainee, I am required to disclose that I am in a trainee and who my supervisor is. I usually reiterate to the client that my sup. is bound by the same ethics and confidentiality rules as I am. In fact, my supervisor retains ultimate responsibilty for the case as I am working under her license.
Although it sounds like you are asking about someone who is already licensed, I hope this helps in part, answer your question.
g
Posted by fallsfall on January 1, 2004, at 17:07:23
In reply to Re: Supervision? Exactly what is it?, posted by gardenergirl on January 1, 2004, at 16:40:46
When I was shopping for a therapist I would ask them if they had a supervisor (because I know that my previous therapist talked about me in supervision more than once). They each said yes. Then one of them told me that they HAD to have supervision. I don't know if it was a state law, or US law, or whatever, but this person told me that everyone I interviewed would have to say yes to my question.
Basically, it is asking for feedback from your collegue(s). It can give the therapist a different view, or propose alternative ways of dealing with the problem, or point out dangers in what is going on.
I always felt better knowing that she was asking - although, in both cases that I knew about, I didn't like the recommendations that her supervisory group made. I still liked the idea that she was getting feedback.
Posted by thewriteone on January 3, 2004, at 20:51:47
In reply to Supervision? Exactly what is it?, posted by jane d on January 1, 2004, at 15:13:03
> I have this general idea that it's asking for help on specific problems, rather than the advice a trainee gets on how to handle their cases but I'm not sure if that's right. Is this something all therapists do or just an ideal? Something beginners do? Is there any obligation to inform the patient (client - whatever) that there is now a third party involved in the "therapeutic relationship"? I'd appreciate any information that all of you can give me.
I asked my therapist about that once and she said that she gets together with someone once a month to discuss her cases with. She said she doesn't go into specifics, but it's mostly just running it by someone else. She's not new at this. She's been doing it for more than 20 years, so it's not that she's new. She didn't volunteer this information to me, but didn't hesitate to tell me when I asked. She's proven herself to be ethical, so I'm guessing that she's not required to disclose that information. I was surprised recently to see the person she meets with. He was young, looked like he could have been 17, though I'm sure he was at least 25. I just happened to see her come out of one of the rooms with this young man carrying a stack of files. I could have been mistaken, but I'm sure that's who he was.
Posted by EmmyS on January 4, 2004, at 8:04:37
In reply to Re: Supervision? Exactly what is it?, posted by thewriteone on January 3, 2004, at 20:51:47
Of course I have no clue, but I'd doubt someone with that many years of experience would consult with a freshly scrubbed newbie. If he's 25, he just finished his PhD and is too tired to concentrate anyhow! He may just be someone from an insurance company reviewing specific case files, or a legal eagle they consulted with regarding HIPAA regulations.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Psychology | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.