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Supervising with Purpose: Mental Health Leadership Unlocked

Supervising with Purpose: Mental Health Leadership Unlocked

Von: Amy Smitke
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 Welcome to Supervising with Purpose: Mental Health Leadership Unlocked! I'm Amy, your host, here to guide you through the challenges and opportunities of clinical supervision. Whether you're a seasoned leader or just stepping into the role, this podcast is your go-to for practical tips, expert insights, and strategies to lead with confidence and purpose. Let's dive into today's episode!2025
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  • Recognizing Signs of Trauma

    Recognizing Signs of Trauma
    Feb 20 2026
    In this episode of Supervising with Purpose, we turn our attention to the clinicians themselves. The work of holding space for trauma survivors carries a significant weight, and as supervisors, we are the first line of defense against the burnout, compassion fatigue, and vicarious trauma that can impact our supervisees. Recognizing the signs is not just good practice—it's an ethical imperative. I'll guide you through the subtle (and not-so-subtle) signs that a supervisee may be struggling with the emotional toll of their work. We'll discuss the behavioral, cognitive, emotional, and physical indicators to watch for. This episode is designed to sharpen your observational skills and give you the confidence to open a supportive dialogue with your supervisees before they reach a crisis point. Don't Carry the Weight Alone Navigating these conversations can be challenging. Having a space to process your own reactions and get feedback is crucial. The Consultation Monthly Group is a perfect place to discuss these supervisory dilemmas with peers who understand. It's a supportive community where we can share the load and learn from each other. Practical Tips From This Episode: •Look for Behavioral Shifts: Are they more irritable, withdrawn, or cynical? Have you noticed changes in their attendance, punctuality, or completion of paperwork? These can be early warning signs. •Notice Cognitive Changes: Listen for language that reflects a loss of hope, increased negativity, or a sense of being overwhelmed. They might express feeling ineffective or question their career choice. •Tune Into Emotional Cues: Pay attention to signs of anxiety, emotional numbness, or a heightened startle response. They may seem emotionally detached or overly reactive. •Check In on Physical Well-being: Gently inquire about their sleep, energy levels, and any new physical complaints like headaches or stomach issues. The body often keeps the score of vicarious trauma. •Ask Directly and Compassionately: Create a safe space to ask, "How is this work impacting you?" or "I've noticed [specific observation], and I wanted to check in on how you're doing." Support the Podcast: If you enjoyed this episode, consider subscribing, sharing it with your colleagues, and leaving a review. Your support helps grow this community and reach other supervisors seeking guidance. Connect with Me: •Instagram: @motivatedwellnesssolutions •Website: www.motivatedwellnesssolutionsllc.com Looking for More Guidance? Subscribe to Supervising with Purpose for actionable insights on clinical supervision, mental health leadership, and building your supervisory skills. Whether you're starting out or looking to grow, this podcast is packed with tools for your journey. Disclaimer: Supervising with Purpose is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical, legal, or clinical supervision advice. Always consult with a licensed professional or advisor for personalized guidance. --Transcript-- Let's dive into today's episode and unlock the potential of effective supervision. Today we're focusing on something every trauma-informed supervisor needs to understand—recognizing signs of trauma in supervisees. This is such a critical piece of trauma-informed supervision because we can't support what we don't see. Trauma doesn't always present loudly. Sometimes it's in the quiet, the withdrawal, the missed emails, or even the over-functioning. So how do you spot it? Let's start with some common emotional and behavioral signs of trauma responses in supervisees. These may include: Increased irritability or emotional reactivity in sessions Trouble concentrating or following through on tasks Avoidance of certain clients or topics Hypervigilance or difficulty relaxing Feeling overwhelmed or freezing under pressure Excessive people-pleasing or fear of making mistakes And here's the thing—these aren't always signs of trauma, but when patterns form, or they show up consistently under stress, it's worth paying attention. Physical signs can also show up: fatigue, frequent headaches, changes in sleep, or even supervisees who seem emotionally "checked out." And sometimes, trauma can show up in supervision as strong countertransference or sudden resistance to feedback. It's also important to remember that triggers in supervision can be subtle. A supervisee might shut down after hearing direct feedback, not because they're avoiding accountability, but because it reminds them of past criticism or emotional harm. Even how we structure feedback—tone, setting, word choice—can matter more than we think. Here's a real-world example. I once worked with a supervisee who consistently missed deadlines, avoided confrontation, and got defensive anytime we discussed performance. At first, I thought it was just disorganization—but with time and a trauma-informed lens, I realized ...
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    4 Min.
  • Trauma-Informed Care in Supervision Overview

    Trauma-Informed Care in Supervision Overview
    Feb 13 2026
    In this episode of Supervising with Purpose, we lay the foundational groundwork for one of the most critical shifts in modern mental health: trauma-informed care. This is more than just a buzzword; it's a fundamental lens through which we must view our work, our clients, and our supervisees. We'll move beyond diagnostic criteria to understand the pervasive impact of trauma and explore the core principles of safety, trustworthiness, choice, collaboration, and empowerment. I'll break down what it truly means to be "trauma-informed" as a supervisor. We'll discuss how this approach changes the questions we ask, the feedback we give, and the very culture of our supervisory relationships. This episode is essential for any supervisor looking to create a more supportive, effective, and ethically sound environment for clinicians who work with trauma survivors. Need Tools to Implement These Principles? Understanding the theory is the first step, but applying it requires structure. My Ultimate Supervision Guides are designed to help you integrate trauma-informed principles directly into your documentation and session planning. They provide the framework to ensure you're consistently applying these concepts in your practice. You can find them for various professions in my shop. Practical Tips From This Episode: •Adopt the "What Happened to You?" Lens: Shift your perspective from "What's wrong with you?" to "What happened to you?" This simple change fosters empathy and curiosity in both clinical and supervisory contexts. •Prioritize Safety First: Before any clinical work can happen, you must establish physical and psychological safety. We'll discuss how to create a safe container in your supervision sessions. •Review the 6 Core Principles: We will briefly touch on the six core principles of a trauma-informed approach: Safety, Trustworthiness & Transparency, Peer Support, Collaboration & Mutuality, Empowerment, Voice & Choice, and Cultural, Historical & Gender Issues. •Model Self-Care and Boundaries: As a supervisor, your actions speak louder than words. Demonstrating healthy boundaries and a commitment to your own self-care is a powerful trauma-informed practice. •Use Person-First and Strength-Based Language: Focus on the person, not the trauma. We'll discuss how to use language that empowers and highlights resilience rather than deficits. Support the Podcast: If you enjoyed this episode, consider subscribing, sharing it with your colleagues, and leaving a review. Your support helps grow this community and reach other supervisors seeking guidance. Connect with Me: •Instagram: @motivatedwellnesssolutions •Website: www.motivatedwellnesssolutionsllc.com Looking for More Guidance? Subscribe to Supervising with Purpose for actionable insights on clinical supervision, mental health leadership, and building your supervisory skills. Whether you're starting out or looking to grow, this podcast is packed with tools for your journey. Disclaimer: Supervising with Purpose is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical, legal, or clinical supervision advice. Always consult with a licensed professional or advisor for personalized guidance. --Transcipt-- Let's dive into today's episode and unlock the potential of effective supervision. Today we're kicking off a new series focused on trauma-informed supervision. In this episode, we'll start by talking about what trauma-informed care means in a supervision context, why it matters, and how it can radically shift the way we support supervisees—and ultimately, the clients they serve. Trauma-informed care isn't just a buzzword. It's a framework. And it's one that recognizes the widespread impact of trauma and understands potential paths for recovery. When we bring this lens into supervision, we aren't just being supportive—we're being intentional about reducing harm, building safety, and promoting resilience. So what does that really look like? Trauma-informed supervision is grounded in five core principles: safety, trustworthiness, collaboration, empowerment, and cultural humility. These aren't just abstract ideas—they show up in how we structure sessions, how we give feedback, and how we respond when supervisees are struggling. For example, creating safety might mean being clear about expectations and boundaries from the very first meeting. It might mean giving consistent check-ins to ensure a supervisee feels seen and heard—even if everything "looks fine" on the surface. Trustworthiness can come from following through on what you say, holding confidentiality, and being transparent about your role and any potential dual relationships. When we bring collaboration into the room, it shifts supervision from something that's being done to a supervisee into something that's being done with them. You're co-creating goals, co-developing growth plans, and giving them space to...
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    5 Min.
  • Online Communities for Supervisor

    Online Communities for Supervisor
    Feb 6 2026
    In this episode of Supervising with Purpose: Mental Health Leadership Unlocked, we tackle the isolation that many supervisors experience and explore the transformative power of digital connection. In a role that requires so much of us, finding a supportive network is not a luxury—it's a necessity. We'll discuss how online communities provide a vital space for peer support, resource sharing, and navigating the complex ethical and clinical challenges we face daily. I'll share my insights on how to find and cultivate your professional tribe online. We'll cover the difference between free social media groups and paid consultation communities, how to engage authentically to build meaningful connections, and the best practices for maintaining confidentiality and ethical boundaries in a digital world. This episode is your roadmap to moving from isolation to inspiration, using the power of community to become a more confident and competent supervisor. Ready to Find Your Community? While finding the right community is a journey, you don't have to start from scratch. I've created two distinct spaces to support you at every stage: •For peer connection and resource sharing, join our free Behavioral Health Success Network on Facebook. It's a vibrant community of over 500 professionals just like you. •For deeper, structured support, consider The Consultation Monthly Group. This is a dedicated space for case consultation, targeted learning, and direct guidance from me. You can learn more and join us through my website. Practical Tips From This Episode: •Define Your "Why": Before you join, get clear on what you're looking for. Is it peer support, case consultation, business-building tips, or niche-specific advice? This will help you find the right fit. •Move from Lurker to Participant: The value of a community comes from engagement. Start small: introduce yourself, answer a question, or share an article you found helpful. •Practice the "Give and Take" Principle: The strongest communities are built on reciprocity. Be generous with your knowledge and resources, and don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it. •Uphold Digital Boundaries: Remember that online forums have varying levels of privacy. Always de-identify client information and be mindful of confidentiality when sharing case details. •Vet the Group's Leadership: Look for communities led by experienced professionals who actively moderate discussions and ensure a safe, respectful, and ethical environment. Support the Podcast: If you enjoyed this episode, consider subscribing, sharing it with your colleagues, and leaving a review. Your support helps grow this community and reach other supervisors seeking guidance. Connect with Me: •Instagram: @motivatedwellnesssolutions •Website: www.motivatedwellnesssolutionsllc.com Looking for More Guidance? Subscribe to Supervising with Purpose for actionable insights on clinical supervision, mental health leadership, and building your supervisory skills. Whether you're starting out or looking to grow, this podcast is packed with tools for your journey. Disclaimer: Supervising with Purpose is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical, legal, or clinical supervision advice. Always consult with a licensed professional or advisor for personalized guidance. --Transcript-- Let's dive into today's episode: Online Communities for Supervisors. Supervision can sometimes feel like an isolating role, especially when you're the one providing support but not always receiving it. That's why I want to talk about something that has helped me tremendously in my own journey—online communities for supervisors. In today's digital world, access to peer support, consultation, and real-time ideas is just a few clicks away. And for supervisors, being part of a strong online network can be the difference between feeling stuck and staying inspired. Let's start with what these communities actually are. Online communities for supervisors can take many forms—Facebook groups, LinkedIn groups, Slack workspaces, discussion forums, private memberships, even group text threads. Some are open and informal, others are structured and come with continuing education or mentorship opportunities. The beauty of these spaces is that you're able to connect with people who understand the unique challenges of supervision. You can ask questions, bounce around ideas, share wins, vent frustrations, and get real-time feedback. For example, let's say you're facing a tough decision about a supervisee who isn't progressing the way you'd hoped. Maybe you're questioning your own role or trying to decide whether it's time to have a hard conversation. Posting in a trusted online group can bring insight you hadn't considered—and more often than not, someone else has been there, too. I've had so many moments in online groups where I've read a ...
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    5 Min.
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