Using action methods in clinical supervision: a journey from talk to action

Abstract

ABSTRACT Clinical supervision is a critical tool in the professional development of psychotherapists of all types including social workers, counselors and marriage and family therapists. “Clinical training” or “clinical consultation” are also terms that describe the process of a clinician seeking the advice or perspective of a more experienced clinician or expert. Most clinical supervisors use talk to help their supervisees gain skills in assessment and intervention, develop confidence, overcome obstacles coming from biases and blind spots, and feel support. Action methods are usually overlooked as a way to help supervisees develop and to overcome clinical impasse with their clients. In this paper I will share my journey from “talk supervisor” to “action supervisor.” This paper will demonstrate the power of action methods, developed by Jacob Moreno, to help supervisors and the therapists they work with to gain clarity, deepen understanding, view cases with a fresh eye, work through difficult emotional experiences, and explore unconscious assumptions, beliefs, and values that can interfere with treatment. Case examples are included.