Supervisor
Disclosure Statement
Introduction
The purpose of this disclosure statement is to provide you with basic information about me as a psychologist and supervisor. It is hoped that after reviewing this statement, you will be able to determine if we might develop a productive supervisor-supervisee relationship.
University Responsibilities
At the University Counseling and Testing Center (UCTC), I spend approximately 60% of my time working with students in individual therapy or groups; supervising one or two graduate students per semester; and occasionally teaching a course. The remaining 40% of my time is spent participating in the eating disorder clinic (which I co-founded in 1994 with University health center professionals); conducting research; preparing presentations and publications; and engaging in committee work. These activities are designed to add to or clarify the existing knowledge base in psychology, to disseminate information, to keep abreast of the literature, and to participate in the governance of the Center and the University.
Supervision
Style
My style as a supervisor is supportive yet direct. I use a developmental model with interns and graduate students in that I give as much or as little direction as you wish and as appears appropriate given your current level of expertise. Regardless of your skill level, I do insist on reading your case notes and discussing what you are doing with each client. I will ask that you conceptualize cases using your theoretical framework; that you set goals with clients; and that you practice thinking about clients' situations, problems, behaviors, and world-view using the DSM-IV, although in this setting we do not record or use DSM-IV diagnoses in a formal manner.
Expectations
My expectations of you are:
We will discuss your needs, your style, and my style in our initial interview. Supervisory sessions are typically scheduled one time per week for two hours.
Notes
I do take notes during our supervisory sessions. The purpose of this is to help me remember who your clients are, what their issues are, and how they are progressing. I also keep track of the treatment and professional issues we discuss to avoid redundancy. If you find this irritating or distracting, please let me know. I will be glad to write notes at the end of our session.
Evaluations
Formal, written evaluations are given following the schedule outlined in your intern manual (two written evaluations: one mid-semester, one at the end of the semester.) I give verbal feedback on a regular basis. If the verbal feedback is confusing or not frequent enough, please let me know. I will clarify and/or increase the frequency of feedback.
What if we encounter difficulties?
Please tell me if at any point you are not comfortable with where we are going and/or what we are doing in supervision. We can, hopefully, modify our course. If you are extremely uncomfortable and feel this is a hopeless match, please contact our training director and the three of us can meet or you can be reassigned to another supervisor. If this does not resolve the problem adequately, there is a grievance procedure in place in your internship manual.
Background
My doctorate (Ph.D.) in clinical psychology was conferred by Western Michigan University in 1986. I completed a sixty-hour masters degree in clinical psychology at Western Michigan University in 1975. I worked full-time in the field as a limited license psychologist until I completed my doctorate. At this point, I have worked as a psychologist for almost 30 years. I have consistently supervised masters and/or doctoral level interns. From 1988-1993, I served as the Training Director at the UCTC.
Previous Employment as a Psychologist: regional inpatient psychiatric hospital for adults; psychiatric hospital for children and adolescents; rural community mental health center; public schools, K-12. At the community mental health center, in addition to working with clients, I served as the coordinator of services for children and families.
Internship: Kalamazoo Regional Psychiatric Hospital
Dissertation: The role of trainer contact in the
treatment of enuresis
Thesis: Enuresis: A case study
Therapy interests: depression, eating disorders, relationships, divorce adjustment, women's issues, women's health, and grief issues
Theoretical orientation: integrative with strong behavioral and systems influences
Research interests: eating disorders, college students' health behaviors, psychologists as team consultants, women and work, women's health, and feminist theory and treatment
Professional
Status:
Professional Memberships
I will give you a copy of my client disclosure statement at our first meeting.
Please feel free to discuss any or all of the above in supervision. Your questions and discussion are helpful and welcome.