Attending to Crisis-Based Supervision for Counselors: The CARE Model of Crisis-Based Supervision

Abstract

This manuscript explores the impact of clinical supervision on the reduction of stress for professional counselors working with clients that experience crisis on a routine basis. The therapeutic relationship, posttraumatic growth, and vicarious trauma will be outlined to demonstrate the necessity for meaningful, crisis-based supervision. A review of the literature underlining existing models of addressing crisis and clinical supervision is examined. A model of clinical supervision will be proposed that incorporates existing models and the significance of empathy in the counselor-supervisory relationship.

Keywords::

• clinical supervision
• counselor stress
• crisis
• empathy
• mental health counselor
• professional school counselor
• posttraumatic growth
• suicide
• trauma
• vicarious trauma

Notes

Author note: Christine Abassary wishes to acknowledge Dr. Susan Smith-Pierce, her clinical supervisor, who inspired her to write this piece.