
As a therapist, you’ve likely received clinical supervision at some point during your career. But, do you know the difference between clinical supervision and clinical consultation?
In our field, clinical supervision and clinical consultation are often used interchangeably, even by some regulatory bodies. However, both classifications have two distinct purposes and mandates.
This article explores the differences between clinical supervision vs consultation, including the similarities and differences between both.
What is Clinical Supervision?
Clinical supervision is a formal relationship between a student or provisionally registered or licensed therapist (supervisee) and a more experienced fully registered or licensed therapist (clinical supervisor) (NASW, 2013) to discuss clients’ therapeutic progress, promote professional growth, and enhance the supervisee’s practice skills (CRPO, n.d.). According to the American Psychological Association (2014), it’s the clinical supervisor’s role to provide mentorship, protect the public, and be a “gatekeeper for the profession ensuring that supervisees meet competency standards in order to advance to the next level or to licensure” (p. 9).
Clinical supervision often includes but not limited to the reviewing of casework, including audio or video recordings of sessions; discussions regarding therapeutic techniques and modalities; ethical and legal considerations regarding clinical practice; professional boundaries; and effective use of self in practice. Therapists who receive clinical supervision often are required to submit their clinical supervision and practice hours to their regulatory body in order to obtain full registration or licensure.
As clinical supervision is a regulatory requirement, provisional therapists should determine their regulatory bodies criteria for clinical supervision. Some regulatory bodies require clinical supervisors to have specific credentials, practice experience, and/or an advanced credential for the clinical supervision hours to count towards registration or licensure.
What is Clinical Consultation?
On the other hand, clinical consultation is either a formal or informal relationship between two (or more) fully registered or licensed therapists. According to the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (2021) “consultative relationships are voluntary arrangements between professionals in which the consultant provides a service, such as sharing of skills, providing opinion, problem solving, and braining storming. The person receiving the consultation has the right to accept or reject the opinion/advice of the consultant” (p. 72).
Typically, formal consultative relationships have a more experienced therapist providing consultative service to another less experienced therapist. However, in informal arrangements, such as in peer consultation, it’s not uncommon for therapists to have an equal or a similar level of practice experience.
Clinical consultation can be helpful when a therapist encounters a particularly challenging case, and they need additional support or advice to manage the situation effectively. In saying that, it is best practice to seek clinical consultation on regular basis. In addition, many regulatory bodies require ongoing clinical consultation to maintain competency and skills of ones practice.
Clinical Supervision vs Consultation
As previously mentioned, the terms clinical supervision and clinical consultation are often used interchangeably. However, there are stark differences that shouldn’t be overlooked. This section discusses the similarities and difference between clinical supervision vs clinical consultation.
Similarities
- Both aim to support therapists to grow their skills as practitioners and enhance client care.
- Both are typically therapist-to-therapist service.
- Most regulatory bodies encourage ongoing therapist-to-therapist mentorship, regardless of a therapist’s stage of registration or licensure.
- Both require clear informed consents that indicate the role, responsibilities, requirements, and expectations of each party.
- Both may have a financial commitment. Typically, clinical supervisors and clinical consultants charge a fee for their services.
Differences
- Clinical supervision is provided to a therapist who is not fully registered or licensed with their regulatory body, such as provisional or qualifying therapists; therapists working towards an advanced credential or designation, such as the RCSW credential; or therapists who are receiving clinical supervision for remedial purposes. Whereas, clinical consultation is provided to and by fully registered or licensed therapists.
- Clinical supervision has an evaluative component that leads to formalized reporting of the supervisee’s progress and clinical supervision hours, which doesn’t typically exist with clinical consultation.
- Clinical supervision may require additional documentation such the development of learning or remedial plans, formal documentation of clinical supervision and/or practice hours, video and/or audio recording of client sessions, as well as “homework” outside of clinical supervision sessions.
- Clinical supervision occurs on a regular basis over a short period of time, until the supervisee completes their clinical supervision requirements. Whereas clinical consultation may be less frequent but occur over the span of the therapist’s career. In saying this, many regulatory bodies encourage regular clinical consultation.
- Clinical supervisors accept a higher level of liability than clinical consultants (BCACC, n.d.).
- Typically, clinical supervision is more structured than clinical consultation. However, this can vary depending on the needs of the therapist seeking clinical consultation, the personality and style of the therapist providing clinical consultation, and reasoning behind the therapist seeking clinical consultation.
Conclusion
Whether you’re seeking a clinical supervisor vs clinical consultant, it can be the key to unlocking new skills as a therapist. By receiving mentorship, you’ll gain valuable insights, refine your clinical skills, and receive the support you need enhance client care.
Ready to find a Canadian clinical supervisor or clinical consultant?
Check out the clinical supervisor and clinical consultant listings on the Canadian Clinical Supervision Therapist Directory today.
Disclaimer:
Please be advised that this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to be professional advice.
References
APA. (2014). APA Guidelines for Clinical Supervision in Health Service Psychology. Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/about/policy/guidelines-supervision.pdf.
BCACC. (n.d.). Definition of Terms. Retrieved from https://bcacc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Definition-of-Terms.pdf
CCPA. (2021). Standards of Practice. Retrieved from https://www.ccpa-accp.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/CCPA-Standards-of-Practice-ENG-Sept-29-Web-file.pdf
CRPO. (n.d.). Clinical Supervision Requirements. Retrieved from https://crpo.ca/registrant-information/clinical-supervision-information/supervision-requirements/
NASW (2013). Best Practice Standards in Social Work Supervision. Retrieved from https://www.socialworkers.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=GBrLbl4BuwI%3D&portalid=0