Competency-Based Clinical Supervision (CBCS) Training

Training Features

  • Target clinician population: residents/externs who work in community behavioral health organizations
  • Offers supervisor training in use of a competency-based clinical supervision model to train, monitor, evaluate, and offer feedback to trainees offering behavioral health services
  • Two 8-hour training days 
  • Up to 12 open consultation group calls over 3-6 months
  • 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.

General Eligibility Requirements:

  1. Applicant must currently be providing clinical supervision services to clinicians treating clients residing in Fairfax County/City, VA. 
  2. Applicant must be approved by the State to provide clinical supervision services. 
  3. Applicant must have at least a masters degree in a mental health-related field. 
  4. Applicant must commit to attend BOTH days of this training program (we do not allow single-day participation). 
  5. Applicant must commit to submit all training evaluation forms by their due dates.  
  6. Applicant must be willing to pay out-of-pocket for parking on GMU’s Fairfax Campus ($19.50 per day). 

Email CEBBH@gmu.edu for further information and eligibility requirements.