TPC-Digest-Vol-3-Iss-1

TPC Digest 10 T he present paper advocates for standardized regulations/laws for supervision of pre- licensed counselors in the United States, particularly for direct observation of clinical skills. A review of regulations by the American Counseling Association (ACA) Professional Affairs Division reveals that only two states (Arizona and North Carolina) specify requiring supervision interventions that include the use of reviewing audio or videotapes, or live supervision modalities to help evaluate supervisee competence. While utilizing direct observation of counseling skills in supervision is recommended by various counseling associations (e.g., ACA), numerous studies have shown the most common method of supervision is self- report. This method of providing information about the content of counseling sessions relies exclusively on the supervisee’s subjective beliefs. A limitation of this method may involve a lack of observable information about the counseling session supervisors need to accurately evaluate the effectiveness of the counselor. Direct observation and practice of skills are linked to self-efficacy, an important component of therapeutic skill. One researcher has found higher levels of counselor self-efficacy in those receiving greater amounts of direct supervision. Thus, it is likely that increased levels of direct observation during supervision are related to both counselors’ self-efficacy and satisfaction with the supervisory experience. Counselor performance also has been found to be related to self-efficacy and the supervisory environment; counselors who feel confident in their skills and have had adequate supervision have been shown to perform better clinically. Further, researchers have found social work interns who Standardizing the Pre-Licensure Supervision Process: A Commentary on Advocating for Direct Observation of Skills - DIGEST Neal D. Gray is the Chairperson of the Counselor Education program at Lenoir-Rhyne Uni- versity. Paul Erickson is an Associate Professor and Director of Educational Research Assess- ment and Technology at Eastern Kentucky University. Correspondence can be addressed to Neal D. Gray, 625 7th Avenue NE, Hickory, North Carolina 28601, neal.gray@lr.edu .