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Developing a Peer Mentorship Program to Increase Competence in Clinical Supervision in Clinical Psychology Doctoral Training Programs

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Abstract

Objectives

Supervision has recently been recognized as a core competency for clinical psychologists. This recognition of supervision as a distinct competency has evolved in the context of an overall focus on competency-based education and training in health service psychology, and has recently gained momentum. Few clinical psychology doctoral programs offer formal training experiences in providing supervision.

Methods

A pilot peer mentorship program (PMP) where graduate students were trained in the knowledge and practice of supervision was developed. The focus of the PMP was to develop basic supervision skills in advanced clinical psychology graduate students, as well as to train junior doctoral students in fundamental clinical and practical skills. Advanced doctoral students were matched to junior doctoral students to gain experience in and increase knowledge base in best practices of supervision skills. The 9-month program consisted of monthly mentorship meetings and three training sessions.

Results

The results suggested that mentors reported a 30% or more shift from the category of not competent to needs improvement or competent, in the following supervision competencies: theories of supervision, improved skill in supervision modalities, acquired knowledge in supervision, and supervision experience. Furthermore, 50% of the mentors reported that they were not competent in supervision experience at baseline and only 10% reported that they were not competent at the end of the program. Satisfaction data suggested that satisfaction with the program was high, with 75% of participants indicating increased knowledge base in supervision, and 90% indicating that it was a positive addition to their training program.

Conclusions

This program was feasible and acceptable and appears to have had a positive impact on the graduate students who participated. Students reported both high satisfaction with the program as well as an increase in knowledge base and experience in supervision skills.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the Southwestern Academy of Teachers (SWAT) for funding this program, Elida Godbey for aiding with the database, and the graduate students in the clinical psychology program at UT Southwestern for participating in this program.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA

    Aleksandra A. Foxwell, Beth D. Kennard, Cynthia Rodgers, Kristin L. Wolfe, Hannah F. Cassedy & Anna Thomas

Authors
  1. Aleksandra A. Foxwell
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  2. Beth D. Kennard
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  3. Cynthia Rodgers
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  4. Kristin L. Wolfe
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  5. Hannah F. Cassedy
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  6. Anna Thomas
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Aleksandra A. Foxwell.

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Ethical Considerations

This study was reviewed by the IRB and was approved as exempt research.

Disclosure

Dr. Foxwell and Dr. Kennard receive royalties from Guilford Press. No other authors have disclosures to report.

Funding Sources

The Southwestern Academy of Teachers (SWAT) Small Grant Program.

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Foxwell, A.A., Kennard, B.D., Rodgers, C. et al. Developing a Peer Mentorship Program to Increase Competence in Clinical Supervision in Clinical Psychology Doctoral Training Programs. Acad Psychiatry 41, 828–832 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40596-017-0714-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40596-017-0714-4

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