Strength-Based Clinical Supervision: A Positive Psychology Approach to Clinical Training

"Through the frame of positive psychology, Wade and Jones solidify a next step in conceptualization and practice of supervision. This expansive view of historical, narrative, literary, and theoretical approaches is a significant addition to the supervision literature." Carol Falender, PhD, University of California, Los Angeles "For many of us in mental health fields our "training" in supervision occurred on the job. We mirrored the examples of positive supervision we experienced or tried to avoid the pitfalls we associated with negative supervision experiences. But being a competent and proficient supervisor is far more than emulation or avoidance of past experience. It is a vital aspect of our jobs and requires a pedagogical approach steeped in best practices and evidence. Strength Based Clinical Supervision offers a comprehensive approach to providing sound clinical supervision and should be part of any training program for clinicians who will one day supervise, mentor, or instruct anyone entering the field of mental health services." Carrie Fleider, MSW, LISW-S, Assistant Director for Training, Counseling and Consultation Services, The Ohio State University As evidenced by the recent proliferation of books about positive psychology, there is a growing realization about the importance of focusing on an individual's strengths. Yet there has been little written about positive psychology that applies this approach to training and supervision. To fill this void, Strengths-Based Clinical Supervision combines the principles of positive psychology with research on effective supervision and training from various disciplines along with the characteristics of effective clinical supervisors. Designed for use with courses on clinical supervision in psychology, counseling, social work, the book is also an ideal resource for supervisors of Masteris and Doctoral-level trainees as well as licensed professionals. It emphasizes practical applications and provides examples of questions and prompts to be used in supervision sessions. Chapters feature practical applications of key concepts as well as discussion questions to encourage retention of the material. Key Features: Integrates the basic principles of positive psychology with those of effective supervision and training Emphasizes practical applications of positive psychology to clinical supervision across multiple disciplines Includes examples of questions and prompts to be used in actual supervision sessions

About the Author :
John C. Wade, PhD, is a Licensed Psychologist in the Counseling and Psychological Services Center, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS. He is actively engaged in clinical supervision and training in outreach and consultation as the center's Outreach Coordinator. Dr. Wade is also an adjunct faculty member at Avila University in Kansas City, where he introduced and developed an introductory positive psychology course which quickly grew to a three-course curriculum on positive psychology based on student interest. Dr. Wade has also developed a four-workshop series on Positive Psychology sponsored through Human Resources at the University of Kansas, focusing on practical applications of positive psychology to the workplace and training. He has published articles and book chapters on several topics, including positive psychology, supervision and training, career counseling, group therapy, multiculturalism, perfectionism, and sexual assault. Dr. Wade currently serves as the Teaching Representative for the Positive Psychology Section of the American Psychological Association. He earned his Doctorate in Counseling Psychology from Pennsylvania State University.