Clinical Supervision of Addiction Counselors

Clinical supervision is transtheoretical in nature, encompassing developmental, evaluative, administrative, and interrelational aspects of clinical practice. Most models of clinical supervision evolved from therapeutic theories and focus on the support and training of the counselor according to a specific theoretical practice. Clinical supervision of addiction counselors incorporates therapeutic theory and practice, as well as knowledge of addiction, with management and education skills. Clinical supervision enhances counselor development as well as the treatment team's capacity to function efficiently and effectively so that substance abuse clients receive expert services resulting in positive treatment outcomes. Traditionally, clinical supervision [Page 187]has been viewed as the gatekeeper of the profession by identifying strengths and weaknesses of clinical staff members and through recommending and modeling skill enhancing therapeutic interventions and techniques, ...