If you’re a clinical supervisor navigating the delivery of supervision right now, you may have encountered some challenges, including state, institutional, and technological limitations. The information I present in this post is intended to encourage the legal and ethical use of technology-assisted (distance) supervision in a variety of settings.

Dr. AnnaLynn Schooley and I recently discussed this subject as it relates to our experiences and our development as supervisors. Dr. Schooley is a LMFT and LMHC in the state of Florida, and carries licenses in additional states. She serves as a supervisor for master and doctoral-level MFT students in her role as professor for Capella University.

Dr. Schooley was a professor of mine during my doctoral work at Nova Southeastern University, and served as my supervision mentor for the AAMFT-Approved Supervisor credential. She is one of the best systemic minds I know, and therefore, I always enjoy chatting with her on subjects that may be beneficial to you.

In today’s post, she shares knowledge she has gathered as a distance supervisor for students and supervisees across the United States.

Video 1: Benefits and Challenges

I.W: Hey there, Everyone. This is Ili, and I have back with me Dr. AnnaLynn Schooley. And, today we are discussing technology-assisted distance supervision.

So, I have some notes so that we make sure to hit the important topics that we want to discuss and share with you as you offer distance supervision to your supervisors and the clinicians associated with you. 

Welcome. Dr. Schooley.

A.S.: Hey! It's great to see you back again. I hope people aren't getting sick of me yet.

I.W.: No, your input is so popular; your interviews are so popular.

I.W.: Well, so our topic for today—I don't want to date this blog post too much, but I think part of the impetus for this is the fact that we're, you know, most of us are working from home right now due to the coronavirus. But, if you're viewing this, you know, way after the pandemic, please continue to view it. These tips are going to be relevant regardless.

A.S:  In fact, the majority of the tips I developed long before the pandemic, so they're definitely not pandemic specific, by any means.

I.W: Right. Awesome. So, let's let's discuss a bit about technology-assisted distance supervision and you know, like in general your experience.

A.S: Sure. Sure. So, you know I've been teaching for Capella University (online)  since ‘03, I think—2003. And, probably started doing supervision, ‘04/’05, something like that. So, I've been doing video based supervision for a very, very long time. Like I said, long before 2020. So, I've developed a lot of techniques for it.

Participants’ Report of Supervision Effectiveness

But one of the things we were really concerned about as we were doing it at Capella is: Did the supervisees, did the participants, find it less effective or, you know, not as comfortable as in-person, live, in the same room supervision? So, we did a little study, did it like a survey, and it was fascinating, because we did a survey, and we interviewed some folks. And, what was funny is that the the students--or, the graduates now--could not tell the difference.  In fact, I had to keep coming back to them: “No, no, what i'm talking about is doing it on video conference.” As far as they could tell there was no difference. What was different is the person, not the format--not the electronic business. For them it didn't… They had to be forcibly reminded that that's what I was talking about, because otherwise they saw no difference whatsoever.

Benefits and Challenges of Technology-Assisted Supervision

So, I think a lot of supervisors who have maybe done the vast majority of their work in person are uncomfortable, because it's new, and they maybe are unfamiliar with the technology. And, you know, the power goes out and you know, you lose connection and stuff like that. You know, that's a bit annoying.

But, you know, the benefits, I think, are that students don't have to drive to your office or your home or wherever it is you do that supervision. They're much more likely to show up, because they don't have that barrier of drive time and distance to get in the way. 

You do get some interesting clothing choices. Occasionally I'll have people who are driving and getting supervision at the same time, and that always kind of makes me nervous. I always hope that they get to their destination quickly.

And it's, uh—They can be somewhat more distracted, kids at home and all that. But, you know, that would be true of any environment in which you're doing it from home. So, you know, that's just kind of how it is, There's the good and the bad with that. So, I think that distance supervision is here to stay. Depending on the the stage of supervision that we're at.

So, online schools are already doing it a lot, because that's the only choice that they have. I think under pandemics or other quarantine situations. And, I don't just mean the global one we're under right now. Let's say an intern is sick, you know, with a plain old cold, and you don't want them in the room with you. They could attend that way and not miss. You know, so those kinds of things I think are beneficial.

Video 2: Legal Considerations

State Regulations Examples

But, a big thing that that any supervisor looking at this needs to check is their state laws requiring or allowing this. For instance, my knowledge is mostly Florida. In Florida, prior to the current emergency status, distance supervision was permitted with two people. So me and two people, or the supervisor and two people, for 50% of their contact time. Other states, like Ohio and Alaska, 100 percent of the supervision can be done at distance. Some states may allow none of it. 

Though, I really think that post-2020 and post everything that we're doing, state laws are likely to change. And if they're--if they haven't, I think supervisors watching this should advocate for that.

Yes, because that's kind of where the world's going. But, it's important to know what you can legally do for people who are either getting their master’s, or are getting their license.

So, for instance, for most COAMFTE schools (the AAMFT’s accrediting body), supervision is not allowed in this venue. But, I think that will also change. I think the Commission will also change that. And, if you're watching this many years hence it probably already has changed, with any luck.

I.W: Maybe I’ll update it.

A.S.: But, it's important to know what you can do, what you’re allowed to do based on state law, accreditation, the school, all that good stuff.

I.W.: I think training and bringing up programs is really important, because one of the things that you said initially is, the students don't really notice a difference for technology assisted supervision. And so, part of the question there, or the research—maybe an avenue to go would be: Is that because they're in an online program? And so, now as you're mentioning because of the pandemic people are going online 100 percent, and so that distinction may not be there anymore, even for those who have never done [technology assisted supervision].

A.S: Right. A difference without a difference

Yes, exactly.

Let’s Chat

• How are you using technology-assisted supervision as a supervisor or supervisee?

• What do you see as the benefits and challenges of technology-assisted supervision?