Clinical Supervision Evaluation- PBC’s

Developmental Framework for Competency 3.a

Use Applicable Counseling Skills and Theories

Skills Encompassed in This Competency:

  • Demonstrating active listening skills (reflecting, paraphrasing, summarizing)
  • Using open-ended questions to explore client concerns and emotions
  • Applying motivational interviewing techniques
  • Utilizing crisis counseling skills
  • Implementing grief counseling approaches
  • Using cognitive-behavioral techniques
  • Applying family systems theory
  • Demonstrating cultural humility
  • Using silence effectively
  • Employing normalization techniques
Emerging
Definition: Demonstrates basic knowledge of skill and/or is attempting to undertake skill. Student still requires support to complete skill and additional opportunities to practice are necessary.

Observable Student Behaviors:

  • Relies heavily on supervisor prompting: Student frequently needs verbal cues from supervisor to use counseling techniques (e.g., “What do you think the client is feeling right now?” or “Try reflecting what they just said”)
  • Uses counseling skills mechanically without therapeutic intent: Student may reflect or paraphrase client statements but misses the emotional content or therapeutic purpose; techniques feel scripted rather than natural
  • Struggles to select appropriate counseling interventions: Student may know various techniques but has difficulty determining which approach to use when (e.g., using motivational interviewing when grief counseling is needed)
  • Focuses primarily on information gathering rather than emotional exploration: Student asks questions but doesn’t delve into client’s feelings, concerns, or psychosocial needs; sessions feel more like interviews than counseling
  • Shows discomfort or uncertainty when clients become emotional: Student may appear anxious, change topics quickly, or look to supervisor for help when clients cry, express anger, or share difficult emotions

Developing
Definition: Demonstrates intermediate ability to complete skill and assistance may be required. Errors in the completion of the skill have a clear and/or identifiable pattern. Additional opportunities to practice are needed.

Observable Student Behaviors:

  • Uses counseling techniques inconsistently across different client scenarios: Student may demonstrate good active listening with straightforward cases but struggles with complex family dynamics or cultural differences; performance varies significantly
  • Recognizes client emotions but responds with generic rather than tailored interventions: Student identifies that client is anxious or sad but uses the same basic reflection or normalization approach regardless of the specific situation or client background
  • Attempts advanced techniques but with limited success: Student tries motivational interviewing or family systems approaches but may ask leading questions, miss resistance, or apply techniques inappropriately for the context
  • Shows pattern of avoiding certain types of emotional content: Student consistently struggles with specific areas (e.g., always redirects discussions about death/dying, avoids exploring family conflict, or becomes uncomfortable with expressions of anger)
  • Demonstrates counseling skills but timing and pacing need improvement: Student uses appropriate techniques but may interrupt natural client processing, rush through emotional moments, or spend too much time on less important issues

Competent
Definition: Consistently and accurately demonstrates understanding or ability to perform skill. Functions independently, or seeks minimal guidance. Additional opportunities to practice are not necessary.

Observable Student Behaviors:

  • Seamlessly integrates multiple counseling techniques throughout sessions: Student naturally combines active listening, open-ended questioning, and appropriate interventions without appearing mechanical; techniques flow together to create therapeutic conversations
  • Adapts counseling approach based on client needs and cultural background: Student modifies communication style, intervention selection, and pacing based on client’s cultural values, personality, coping style, and presenting concerns
  • Effectively manages difficult emotional moments: Student remains calm and therapeutic when clients experience strong emotions; uses appropriate crisis counseling or grief techniques; helps clients process feelings without becoming overwhelmed
  • Balances information-gathering with emotional support appropriately: Student efficiently obtains necessary medical/family history while also attending to psychosocial needs; sessions feel both comprehensive and supportive
  • Demonstrates therapeutic presence and maintains appropriate boundaries: Student shows genuine empathy and engagement while maintaining professional boundaries; clients appear comfortable and trust the therapeutic relationship

Exceptional
Definition: Consistently exceeds expectations and has demonstrated excellence in multiple instances. Applies skill at a much higher level than expected and can provide guidance to others.

Observable Student Behaviors:

  • Creates transformative therapeutic moments through expert use of counseling skills: Student’s interventions help clients gain new insights, shift perspectives, or experience emotional breakthroughs; demonstrates mastery-level therapeutic intuition
  • Mentors other students in counseling technique application: Student provides helpful feedback to peers, models advanced skills during group supervision, and can articulate the rationale behind therapeutic choices
  • Innovatively applies counseling theories to unique or challenging cases: Student creatively combines approaches or adapts techniques for unusual presentations; demonstrates deep understanding of when and why to use specific interventions
  • Handles complex multi-generational or cultural dynamics with sophistication: Student navigates complicated family systems, cultural conflicts, or ethical dilemmas using advanced counseling skills while maintaining therapeutic relationships with all parties
  • Integrates counseling skills with genetic content at an advanced level: Student uses therapeutic techniques to help clients process complex genetic information, make difficult reproductive decisions, or cope with uncertain genetic results in ways that promote genuine adaptation and growth

Graduation Standard

Students must demonstrate COMPETENT level performance in counseling skills consistently across diverse client scenarios and case types to graduate. This includes demonstrating competency with prenatal, cancer, pediatric, and adult genetic counseling cases.