Looking after yourself

Clinical supervision

According to the National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction (NCETA), clinical supervision is directed at developing less experienced worker's clinical practice skills through the provision of support and guidance from a more experienced supervisor. Supervision meetings are regular and systematically explore a supervisee's work with clients or patients. Clinical supervision is different from administrative or managerial supervision, which focuses on the worker's day-to-day administrative issues.

Many of those working in the AOD sector would benefit from clinical supervision because besides providing worker support it encourages communication, self confidence and a consistent approach to client interaction.

More information

READ

The following articles related to clinical supervision are available either online or from the NDSIS. 

Ask, A. and A. M. Roche (2005). Clinical supervision: a practical guide for the alcohol and other drugs field. Adelaide, National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction

Knudsen, H. K., L. J. Ducharme, et al. (2008). "Clinical supervision, emotional exhaustion, and turnover intention : a study of substance abuse treatment counselors in the Clinical Trials Network of the National Institute on Drug Abuse." Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment 35 (4) December 2008: 387-395.

NSW Health (2006).NSW drug and alchol clinical supervision guidelines. Sydney, NSW Health: 40p.

Roche, A. M., C. L. Todd, et al. (2007). "Clinical supervision in the alcohol and other drugs field : an imperative or an option?" Drug and Alcohol Review 26 (3) May 2007: 241-249.

Whitley, C. E. M. (2010). "Social work clinical supervision in the addictions : importance of understanding professional cultures." Journal of Social Work Practice in the Addictions 10 (4) Oct/Dec 2010: 343-362.

Wynn, S. (2010). "Leadership in clinical supervision." Journal of Addictive Disorders 2010: 16 p.

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Page last updated: 24 Oct 2011