1. Supervisory Ethics and
Issues
Ana Ramos, Julio Davalos, Leticia Galindo, Alma Amaral
University of Phoenix
Ethics and Values
BSHS 355
Beatriz Zayas
January 9, 2014

2. Agenda

Legal aspects of supervision

Multicultural issues in supervision

Spiritual issues in supervision

Multiple roles and relationships in the supervisory process

Styles of supervision

Supervisor’s roles and responsibilities

Questions

References

3. Legal aspects of supervision

Three legal considerations in the supervisory relationship are informed
consent, confidentiality and its limits, and liability.

First, supervisors must see that trainees provide the information to clients
that they need to make informed choices.

Second, supervisors have a legal and ethical obligation to respect the
confidentiality of client communications.

Third, supervisors ultimately bear legal responsibility for the welfare of
those clients who are counseled by their trainees.

4. Multicultural issues in supervision

Multicultural supervision encompasses a broad definition of culture that
includes race, ethnicity, socioeconomic, status, sexual
orientation, religion, gender and age.

Supervisors have the responsibility to be aware of the complexities of
multicultural society.

Ethical and competent supervision involves recognizing and addressing the
issues that apply to multicultural supervision.

Racial and ethical issues: if supervisors do not assist in addressing racial and
ethnic issues, the client may be denied the opportunity to explore these
issues and their therapy.

5. Spiritual issues in supervision

Supervisors have to be open about discussing spiritual issues. Religion and
spirituality are a main understanding and treating many clients. Having faith
is an important factor to look into and grasp knowledge in supervision. It is
crucial for mental health professionals to understand, honor, and address
religious diversity.

6. Multiple roles and relationships in the
supervisory process

Happens when a supervisor has concurrent or consecutive professional/non
professional relationships with a supervisee. Relationships frequently happen
between supervisor/supervisee. Common within training and supervision, yet
they can be harmful. Supervisors need to make sure that they only discuss
relevant issues with their supervisees.

7. Styles of supervision

Supervisors are expected to be aware of the needs of their supervisees
and to address these needs in supervision. Supervisees at different stages in
their professional development may require different styles of supervision.
Overholser (1991) points out that an important element in the supervisory
process is balancing a directive style and a permissive one. A supervisor’s
task is to strive for an optimal level of challenge and support. The hope is that
the supervisor will promote autonomy without overwhelming the supervisee.
Although supervisees may need more direction when they begin their
training, it is a good idea to foster a reflective and questioning approach that
leads to self-initiated discovery.

8. Supervisor’s roles and responsibilities
Responsibilities

Responsibility to provide training
to supervisees in order for them to
deliver ethical and effective
services
Roles

Teacher

Mentor

Consultant

Counselor

Evaluator

And more

9. Questions?

10. Reference

Corey, G., Schneider Corey, M., & Patrick, C. (2011). Issues and ethics in the
helping professions (8th ed.). Belmont, CA: Cengage