Mindful Happiness

Anthony Quintiliani, Ph.D, LADC

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Using Creativity in Clinical Supervision

Using Creativity in Clinical Supervision

Effective clinical supervision is a combination of hearable direction about clinical practice, gentle-direct leadership, clinical “Know-How,” evidence-based skills, complex psychodynamics, and the willingness to work with others on their developmental processes. There are risks involved. I have provided clinical supervision and consultation to other clinicians for 43 years without a legal or ethical issue. I do not think you should allow your creative spirit to run wild; there are many very serious ethical and legal implications in supervision.  These are not benign; most states hold clinical supervisors 100% accountable for the actions of their supervisees, whether those actions were known and recommended by the supervisor or not.

Here we will look at the work of Leonardo DaVinci, the genius in art, science, engineering, and humanities. He saw art as science and science as art – most clinicians recognize these combinations in their own clinical work. I will simply note a list of documented attitudes, values and behaviors that DaVinci mastered. Here is the list. Courage may be needed to move off your comfort-path.

 

  1. Practice intense curiosity and deep awareness about the specific details of your work. As you do this apply a sense of wonder about your observations and  different possible perspectives you encounter. Multiple realities of perspectives do exist. There may not be one absolutely correct response.
  2. Observe! Observe! Observe! Notice how your supervisees do their work, and how their idiosyncratic personalities and attitudes influence that work and your supervision. Be certain to pay close attention to the facts of reality, but better to procrastinate a bit before making big decisions. Be sure you have all the correct facts. You may need to test your hypothesis.
  3. Use your personal imagination more, and visualize the situations that cause you the greatest concerns. Remember: Do No Harm! In some situations it may actually be ok to use day dreaming and helpful fantasy for new perspectives for problem solving.
  4. Be sure to keep written lists of all the things you need to do. Also, write in your own “supervision development journal” about new things you learn and lessons you wish you already knew. Review selected parts of that journal with your own supervisor.
  5. It pays to be a little obsessive when dealing with supervisees and the welfare of their clients. Your growth also depends upon being a bit obsessive with learning new clinical processes and evidence-based interventions. However, remain creative and highly responsible in your role. Document everything you do in your role.
  6. For more see Isaacson, W. (2017). Leonardo DaVinci…New York: Simon & Schuster.

Anthony R. Quintiliani, PhD., LADC  

From the Eleanor R. Liebman Center for Secular Meditation in Monkton, Vermont and the Home of The Monkton SanghaChiYinYang_EleanorRLiebmanCenter

Author of Mindful Happiness  

Mindful Happiness cover designs.indd

New Edition of Mindful Happiness in Production…Coming soon!

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How Most People Learn in Psychotherapy

 

How Most People Learn in Psychotherapy

It is highly important that clients learn from their therapists.  In most cases this includes alternative ways of thinking, emoting, and behaving. So what can we learn from educational research on how people learn? Of course we all know it begins with a solid therapeutic alliance – the core, positive clinical relationships. But what follows? The list below notes the most common ways most people learn. However, do not ignore idiosyncratic differences in your own client’s personality, mind and body. Also consider your own capacities and limitations. Here is a list to consider.

Current Knowledge on How People Learn

  1. Cognitive information is often presented verbally, in written form, via interactive narrative, and by video. Do keep in mind, however, that in most common serious co-occurring disorders cognitive and relational ONLY interventions may not be powerful enough to impact deep brain structures where experienced content from life may be stored and reacted to. It is about the client’s mind-body systems.
  2. Skills-based learning is often presented via demonstration ,drill, repeated practice (in and out of session), contextualization, and modeling. Clients who act differently not just think differently tend to improve more in therapy. Skill training is a formidable part of contemporary therapy, especially in improving the lives of clients.
  3. Inquiry-based learning is often presented through case studies, problem analysis and solving, targeted projects, and learning by design. Although inquiry-based learning can be very powerful, it requires considerable thought and preparation on the part of the therapists to do it well.
  4. Strengths-based learning in both individual and group therapy is commonly presented via self-study, cooperative learning groups, strengths-against-problems formats, games (jigsaw, manipulatives), and peer-to-peer interactions, etc.
  5. Technological learning has been presented by way of simulations, various electronic tools, assessment analysis, communication devices, etc.  Use the internet as well as other electronic devices, especially if your client prefers this.
  6. Multimodal learning tends to be more powerful. When all the senses are used, more brain cell firing in various parts of the brain will occur. This enhances learning capacity.
  7. Do an informal learning assessment of your client. Learn what she/he knows about their learning style.

When you give serious thought to how your client may learn best in your own personal therapeutic environment, always consider what learning science may have to offer. Also give thought to your own strengths and limitations as helpers.

For more information refer to National Research Council et al. (2000).  How People Learn: Brain, Mind, Experience, and School. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, pp. 3-27.

Anthony R. Quintiliani, PhD., LADC

From the Eleanor R. Liebman Center for Secular Meditation in Monkton, VermontChiYinYang_EleanorRLiebmanCenter

Author of Mindful Happiness  

Mindful Happiness cover designs.indd

New Edition of Mindful Happiness in Production…Coming soon!