Competency-Based Clinical Supervision (CBCS) Training

Training Features

  • Target Audience: Clinical Supervisors responsible for supervising trainees, residents, and externs working in community behavioral health organizations.
  • Training Focus: Use of a competency‑based clinical supervision model to train, monitor, evaluate, and provide feedback to behavioral health trainees
  • Training Structure: Two 8‑hour training days
  • Post‑Training Consultation:
    • Up to 12 open consultation group calls over 3–6 months
  • Delivery Format: In‑person or virtual

Full Description

Competency-Based Clinical Supervision (CBCS) is a metatheoretical approach that explicitly identifies the knowledge, skills and attitudes that comprise clinical competencies, informs learning strategies and evaluation procedures, and meets criterion-referenced competence standards consistent with evidence-based practices and the local clinical setting. CBCS directs attention to the competencies of the supervisor as clinician and supervisor, and infuses the competencies model throughout the process of supervision. It does not preclude other models of supervision. CBCS provides an explicit framework and method to orient, develop, evaluate, and enhance the competencies that are required for professional practice. It includes a clear focus on clinician output (demonstration of competence) rather than input (number of trainings attended).

The CBCS training is designed to provide clinical supervisors with psychoeducation and evidence-based tools to aid in building supervisee: general clinical competencies; use of evidence-based assessment, case conceptualization, and treatment techniques; ability to form and maintain a supervisory alliance; ability to effectively manage personal factors; and legal and ethical practice, among other competencies. Additionally, clinical supervisors learn how to: recognize and monitor signs of different forms of traumatic stress among supervisees; how supervisee trauma manifests in client care and the supervisory relationship; and how to work with supervisees with a trauma history. It also provides supervisors with guidance in use of criterion referenced methods of assessment, evaluation, and feedback. Supervisors will leave the training with a “toolkit” that can be used to facilitate CBCS in their practice settings.