Case Conceptualization
If you are a practicum student, intern, or an LPCC working toward full licensure, being able to conceptualize cases makes the difference between getting what you need from supervision and leaving more confused.
It’s Okay to Give Your Supervisor Identifying Details
Supervisors can review notes by supervisees. We can view client lists. We are obligated to do these things because those clients are our clients too. Share the name of your client, or make up a consistent one if you’re that concerned about it. Gender, age, occupation, religious affiliation, and general health concerns also matter. Does this client have any legal issues? Is the client under the care of a psychiatrist? Is the client taking medication? What is the client’s relationship status?
Question and Chief Complaint
Come prepared with specific questions for your supervisor. What do you want support with on this case? This saves both of us time and frustration.
What is the client’s chief complaint or therapy goal? Anything related to their treatment planning, like your supervision, needs to support what the client wants to resolve.
Psychopharmacology is Not a Matter of Belief
Any medication a client takes can affect their mood, experience of life, and emotions even if the medication isn’t supposed to. For example, statins, commonly used to control high cholesterol, are known for causing depressive symptoms. “I don’t prescribe medication” doesn’t mean there’s no need to collect that information. Do you treat the medical side of Ehlers Danlos Syndrome or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome? No. Those conditions are still relevant in the client’s chart.
Defensiveness Looks A Lot Like Incompetence
I’ve noticed that supervisees will often simultaneously tell clients that the only actions they can control are their own, and yet the same clinicians will spend a lot of time in supervision justifying a client’s inaction. How do you really know someone can’t do something? You don’t. Clients will underestimate themselves and give up on themselves. It isn’t your job to join in.
The Extremely Brief Version
Know who which cases to ask about before the meeting. Make questions as specific as possible. Be prepared to offer specific context. Be open to options. If something doesn’t resonate, explore that.
