Strengths-Based Supervision in Clinical Practice
- Jeffrey K. Edwards - Northeastern Illinois University, USA, Walden University, USA
The next generation of supervision
The Next Generation of Supervision Practices in Clinical Settings
Author Jeffrey K. Edwards reframes the model of supervision, management, and leadership in clinical practice using an approach that focuses on collaboration and strength-building, with supervisees as competent stakeholders in their work with clients. Deconstructing the usual top-down hierarchy, this text leads the reader through the full range of supervision practices, from the clinical aspects to the administration of all organizations where clinicians are trained, supervised, and encouraged to excel and grow. Edwards starts with a review of the traditional clinical supervision model (two full chapters) and moves on to his strengths-based model, which covers agency and organizational work—all examined using a contemporary, social construction approach.
"Dr. Edwards has provided a positive strengths-based overview of clinic-based supervision. Supervisors will come away with a new, more positive approach on how to conduct their relationships with those they supervise. The book is especially strong on the MFT forms of supervision though other approaches are also referenced. The illustrations from his interactions with supervisees are especially helpful in fleshing out the ideas he is highlighting. Supervisors in clinical settings will find much to consider in this volume."
"Strengths-Based Supervision in Clinical Practice is a clear shift toward the relational and mutual supervisory practice that challenges and encourages the clinician to move beyond the established hierarchical models of supervision. Intentional and conversational in its presentation, the author affords the reader a refreshing, empowering, and integrated command of clinically oriented practices."
"Jeffrey Edwards provides a refreshing conversational style in which to communicate the distinctions and, dare I say, strengths of a strengths-based clinical supervisory stance. While acknowledging the contributions of other supervisory theories, Edwards offers a lively re-viewing of key tenets of the counseling profession's philosophical roots that mesh with his strengths-based model of clinical supervision. Counselor education has always struggled reaching the masters level supervisor and Edwards' book may be the first for use in the counseling profession to do so in such a clinically relevant way that fully embraces the systematicity of field-based clinical supervision."
I have recommended this text to students who are completing four year B Sc nursing and about to undertake 36 week internship programme prior to registration. The advantage of this text is its adoption of a strengths based approach which is the foundation of my teaching approach for practice intervention in mental health setting. The intention of recommending this text is to provide students with supplemental reading and future direction relating to professional supervision.
Useful book to supplement existing text
I am still considering it and need to compare it to other texts as well.
Very important text which provides in depth understanding of strength based perspectives
Very useful for teaching second and third years on the BSc nursing programme. I hope to use this on post reg programmes for health care professionals.
Probable use Fall 2013
Useful overview of progressive ways to provide supervision that mirror therapy and allows supervisors to model positive relationship buliding styles during supervision, thereby encouraging supervisees to adopt similar positive styles during therapy.