The Supervision training program is designed to formally prepare participants to supervise child and play therapists. Participants will have the opportunity to explore various models of supervision and receive specialized training in the Play Therapy Dimensions Model. During the program, trainees will have the opportunity to work in small groups, debrief supervisory experiences, learn about practical playful supervision strategies, and review supervision videos. The program is 24 hours in length and will provide the minimum hours necessary to meet the “consultation on supervision skills criteria” required as part of the total hours to become a Certified Supervisor.

* For more information on certification/standards as a Play Therapist go to
Canadian Association for Child and Play Therapy - CACPT
The Association for Play Therapy - APT.

Who Should Attend?

The Play Therapy Supervision Certification Program (blue stream) is intended for Certified/Registered Play Therapists who wish to become Certified or Registered Play Therapy Supervisors. Program entrance requirements include a Master’s level of academic training and a minimum of 1500 clinical hours of working with children and a total of 2500 hours of direct clinical practice (face-to face therapeutic client contact). Participants must have access to supervisees.

Location of Training:Supervision training is held at the Rocky Mountain Play Therapy Institute in Calgary, Alberta Canada. Alternatively, arrangements can be made to provide supervision training off -site. For dates, check the training calendar . Cost of program: $1095.00 plus GST ($273.75 deposit), for full details please refer to the application form.

Duration: 3 modules taken as a 3-day intensive.

Required Textbook:

Supervision can be Playful: Techniques for Child & Play Therapy Supervisors. Drewes. A., & Mullen, J.A. (2008: Lanham MD: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers).

Module Descriptions

Module 1:

• Definition of supervision
• Introduction to models of supervision
• Elements of supervision including clinical, educational and administrative functions
•`Self-assessment and experiential exercises
• The supervision process
• Playful approaches/strategies to supervision
• Utilizing the PTDM Decision-Making Guide and assessment tools in supervision

Module 2:

• Legal and ethical issues; using an ethical framework
• Identifying supervisee stage of development
• Assessing competencies and matching supervision interventions
• Characteristics of effective supervision
• Multicultural issues and considerations in supervision
• Training presentation

Module 3:

• Supervisor group consultation model
• Assessing Supervisor stage of development
• Utilizing video tapes in supervision
• Review of supervisor video tapes

Upon successful completion of the program, each participant will have gained:

• A working definition of supervision
• The ability to describe the purpose, goals and role of the supervisor
• An overview of the models of supervision
• An understanding and use of a specific play therapy model for supervision (Play Therapy Dimensions Model)
• The ability to identify the stage of development of the supervisee and supervisor
• A repertoire of creative supervision strategies
• An awareness of legal and ethical issues specifically related to work with children
• Exposure to a variety of process and assessment tools for supervisors and supervisees
• An awareness of multicultural issues related to supervision
• The necessary skills to make use of video review in supervision
• The ability to identify a model to use in future supervision

Methods

• Experiential activities
• Video presentations
• Case examples/case presentations
• Slides
• Role plays and video taping
• Session seminars
• Reading assignments
• Written exercises

Awards

Participants will receive a 24-hour Certificate from the Rocky Mountain Play Therapy Institute. This program constitutes one part of the total requirements to become a Certified or Registered Play Therapy Supervisor. Canadian participants will forward their full applications to CACPT for review.

The certificates are awarded on the basis of:

• The successful completion of one transcribed supervision tape. Participants will be expected to choose one supervision session out of at least 40 sessions.
• Satisfactory completion of a process journal.
• Continuous evaluation of course work contributions and ability to work with group dynamics.
• The satisfactory completion of a 5-page supervision case review utilizing a model of supervision.

How can I apply these skills?

Participants will be able to utilize a model of supervision to more effectively support and guide supervisees. The supervision skills although focused on child and play therapists, can be generalized to supervision of those working with adults and families. You will be able to identify your own development as a supervisor as well as the development of your supervise. You will be able to provide specialized supervision to staff and defend your clinical work and the work of others to various systems. Acquiring specialized supervision skills will enhance your professional credibility in the field of child and play therapy.

For an overview of the Blue Stream program click here. (pdf file - you will need Adobe Reader)

* For more information on certification/standards as a Play Therapist go to
Canadian Association for Child and Play Therapy - CACPT
The Association for Play Therapy - APT.