As LPC supervisors, one of our key responsibilities is to guide and support LPC Associates in their professional development. However, there are times when we must address concerns that arise during supervision. In this post, we'll explore a real-world example of how to document a supervision concern effectively.
The Scenario
Sarah, an LPC supervisor, has been working with Tom, an LPC Associate, for six months. During their recent sessions, Sarah has noticed a pattern that concerns her: Tom consistently struggles to maintain appropriate boundaries with his clients.
Here's how Sarah documented her concern:
Date: July 13, 2024
LPC Associate: Tom Johnson, LPC Associate
Supervisor: Sarah Thompson, LPC-S
Supervision Concern:
Boundary issues with clients. In our last three supervision sessions (June 29, July 6, and July 13), Tom has shared incidents where he exceeded typical therapeutic boundaries:
- Gave a client his personal phone number for after-hours contact
- Agreed to meet a client outside of scheduled sessions for coffee
- Shared personal details about his own life struggles with a client
Potential Risks:
I addressed these concerns with Tom today. We explored the importance of maintaining professional boundaries and the potential risks of dual relationships. Tom acknowledged that he sometimes finds it challenging to say no to clients' requests and wants to be seen as helpful.
Action Plan:
1. Tom will review the LPC Rules and ACA Code of Ethics, focusing on sections related to professional boundaries and dual relationships.
2. We will role-play scenarios in our next session to practice maintaining boundaries.
3. Tom will document any requests from clients that he feels might push boundaries and bring these to our next supervision session for discussion.
4. We will revisit this topic each supervision session to assess progress.
5. Follow-up: Scheduled for July 20, 2024
LPC Associate Acknowledgment:
I have discussed this concern with my supervisor and understand the action plan we have developed.
LPC Associate Signature: __[Tom Johnson's Signature]
Supervisor Signature: __[Sarah Thompson's Signature]
By following these guidelines, LPC supervisors can create thorough, professional documentation of supervision concerns. This not only helps in the professional development of the LPC Associate but also ensures that ethical standards are maintained and client welfare is prioritized.
Remember, the goal of documenting concerns is not to punish, but to support growth and ensure the highest quality of care for clients.
Attached is a downloadable form to be used in supervision. For more supervision forms, see our Essential LPC Supervisor Toolkit.
…supervision matters!
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