What Makes the Supervision Process Relational?
In teaching relational psychoanalytic supervision for over 40 years, I have observed that most supervisors have limited mastery over how to help supervisees learn from their experience in the supervisory relationship, even though doing so helps supervisees develop the emotional and relational skills required of a psychoanalytically oriented clinician. This course provides an opportunity to analyze an expert supervisor’s actual supervision sessions, a powerful way to learn that is rarely offered in CE courses.
NCSPP is aware that historically psychoanalysis has either excluded or pathologized groups outside of the dominant population in terms of age, race, ethnicity, nationality, language, gender, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, disability, and size. As an organization, we are committed to bringing awareness to matters of anti-oppression, inequity, inequality, diversity, and inclusion as they pertain to our educational offerings, our theoretical orientation, our community, and the broader world we all inhabit.
Presenters Response:
A key competency of effective supervision is the ability to engage in conversations about difference, power, and inequity. This course emphasizes the role of the supervisor in helping supervisees learn from their experience in the supervisory relationship, including the relational tensions that emerge around issues of identity and systemic dynamics. By analyzing expert supervision sessions, we will examine how supervisors can address anxieties and resistances that hinder these conversations and how they can model a stance of openness, curiosity, and accountability. We will also explore ways to create a supervisory environment where such dialogues become integral to learning.
At the end of this course participants will be able to:
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Explain 2 examples of how a relational psychodynamic supervisor can help supervisees with countertransference issues while respecting the supervisory frame.
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Identify 2 ways that teaching relational technique in supervision differs from working relationally in supervision.
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Martin, J. S., Newton, F. B. & Goodyear, R. K. (1987). Clinical Supervision: An Intensive Case Study. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 18 (3). 225-235.
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Norberg, J., Axelsson, H., Barkman, N., Hamrin, M., & Carlsson, J. (2016). What psychodynamic supervisors say about supervision: Freedom within limits. The Clinical Supervisor, 35(2), 268-286. https://doi.org/10.1080/07325223.2016.1219896
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Sarnat, J. (2022, Spring). Review: Three Associating: Adventures in Relational Psychoanalytic Supervision, G. Straker, R. Burton, & A. Greeves. threeassociating.com/ Fort Da 67-72.
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Sarnat, J. (2016). Supervision Essentials for Psychodynamic Psychotherapies. Wash., DC: APA. Chapter 2, Evidence for the Effectiveness of a Relational Model of Psychodynamic Psychotherapy.
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Watkins, C. E. (2016). How does psychotherapy supervision work? Contributions of connection, conception, allegiance, alignment, and action. Journal of Psychotherapy Integration, 27(2), 201-217. https://doi.org/10.1037/int0000058
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Watkins, C.E. (2012). Development of the psychotherapy supervisor: review of and reflections on 30 years of theory and research. Am J. of Psychother. 2012;66(1):4583.doi:10.1176/appi.psychotherapy.2012.66.1.45.
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Zetzer, H.A., Hill, C.E., Hopsicker, R.J., Krasno, A.M., Montojo, P.C., Plumb, E.I.W., et al. (2020). Parallel process in psychodynamic supervision: The supervisor's perspective. Psychotherapy, 57(2), 252.
Joan Sarnat, Ph.D., ABPP, has been teaching and writing about relational psychodynamic supervision since 1992. She is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association and a Supervising Analyst and member of the Faculty at the Psychoanalytic Institute of Northern California (PINC). She co-authored her first book, The Supervisory Relationship (Guilford Press, 2001) with Mary Gail Frawley-O’Dea. Her second book, Supervision Essentials for Psychodynamic Psychotherapies, (American Psychological Association, 2016), was published in tandem with a DVD, Relational Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Supervision, which features Dr. Sarnat conducting a supervisory session. Dr. Sarnat is in supervisory and consultative practice in Berkeley, California. JoanSarnatPhD.com
This class is intended for mental health clinicians with moderate to advanced experience in clinical work and supervision who have supervised other clinicians or expect to do so in the near future. Some background in psychoanalytic principles is advisable.
LCSW/MFTs: Course meets the requirements for 2 hours of continuing education credit for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs and/or LEPS, as required by the CA Board of Behavioral Sciences. NCSPP is approved by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (Provider Number 57020), to sponsor continuing education for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCS, and/or LEPs. NCSPP maintains responsibility for this program /course and its content.
Psychologists: Division 39 is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Division 39 maintains responsibility for these programs and their content.
Certificates of Attendance for CE credits will be sent to those participants who attend the entire workshop and return a completed course evaluation.
Enrollees who cancel at least SEVEN DAYS prior to the event date will receive a refund minus a $35 administrative charge. No refunds will be allowed after this time. Transfer of registrations are not allowed.
For program related questions, contact Elana Guy, Psy.D., at EG@DrElanaGuy.com.
For questions related to enrollment, locations, CE credit, special needs, course availability, to obtain the grievance policy or report a grievance, or any other administrative issues contact Niki Clay by email or 415-496-9949.
Education Committee
The Education Committee is responsible for the development of a variety of courses and workshops given throughout the year in San Francisco and the East Bay.