Reflective supervision (RS), or consultation as it is called in some arenas, is a relationship-based model of supervision which has its roots in education and early childhood education (ECE).
Zero to Three has published many articles and training manuals on RS, and produced demonstrations of it. RS is the model of supervision used by Early Head Start and the Nurse Family Partnership Home Visitation Program (an evidence-based model that has reduced rates of child abuse).
RS is characterized by regularity, collaboration, reflection, active listening, choice and control. It is designed to promote a parallel process in which practitioners who work with children and families experience the kind of positive nurturing relationship in supervision that is critical for effective helping/therapeutic interventions.
RS also provides a safe space where practitioners can openly discuss the difficulty of working with vulnerable children and families, many of whom have experienced extreme trauma and violence.
The Multiplying Connections Initiative in Philadelphia has become increasingly interested and invested in promoting RS as a critical component of any trauma-informed system of care and/or organization. In particular we view RS as an effective strategy for preventing and reducing the impact of vicarious trauma or secondary traumatic stress.
We have written a white paper about RS as a trauma-informed practice and promoted this concept at a local conference in June 2011 (the link is a PDF -- please download it). The Commissioner of Philadelphia's Department of Behavioral Health Services endorsed the practice in his opening comments which can be viewed on YouTube.
I would love to learn if others in this Community are supervisors using RS, practitioners using RS, promoting RS as a trauma informed practice, or interested in learning more about it.
Please share your thoughts on this topic.
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