Application of Bernard’s Discrimination Model in a Mental Health Agency: Implications for Practice

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study explored the delivery of Bernard’s Discrimination Model (DM) in a post-masters agency setting and what supervisors did under varying conditions as they applied the model. Researchers examined the relationship between the frequency of application for the four DM foci and three supervision roles. Utilization of supervision interventions related to DM was also explored. Sixty-six (66) master’s-level mental health clinicians [half fully licensed, half provisionally licensed] were assessed using a multi-rater observational approach. Results revealed that clinical supervisors worked with the majority of clinicians on the focus of skills, and supervisors spent most of their time within the teaching and counseling roles. General patterns of use by supervisory interventions were that Interpersonal Process Recall (IPR) and micro-training were utilized the most frequently, with structuring and role play utilized less so. Chi-square analyses indicated significant differences in expected use of interventions by foci and roles. Implications are included.