Supervision Ethical Vulnerabilities

“….supervisors are responsible for making every effort to monitor both the professional actions, and failures to take action, of their supervisees.” ACES, 1993

ACES standard highlights both the direct and vicarious liability assumed by the supervisor –Direct – the supervisee acting on direction from the supervisor –Vicarious – the supervisee acts inappropriately while in a professional role

Supervision in Texas Mission –To protect the public –To establish licensing and enforcement procedures

General TSBEP Rule Violations 2009 –204 cases opened 85 solely related to continuing education violations Leading violation

Other Complaint Types General therapy or evaluations Forensic -- child custody and general Boundary violations –Dual relationships –Sexual misconduct School psychological services General administrative –e.g., failure to report legal actions

TSBEP Rule speaks most directly to issue of supervision Supervisor is responsible for oversight of all delegated services –Legal, competent, and ethical delivery of service is the responsibility of the supervisor

TSBEP Rule Violations Individual must have official status of trainee in order to be supervised –Trainee must be enrolled in a training program and registered in a course that requires the supervised training, i.e., a practicum course or internship

Rule Violations Use of titles Degree of direct face-to-face supervision Breach of confidentiality Breach of professional boundaries –Vicarious liability for supervisor if complaint is filed

Good News Likelihood of a complaint is low Good supervisory practice will keep it low