Attention LCSW's--I have a number of trainings/groups that may be of interest to you. See Foundation in Family Therapy, Clinical Work Using Action Methods, and my supervision groups.  Contact Paula Ochs for more information.

 

Are you an LSW or an LCSW who is looking for clinical supervision in Northern NJ?  Are you committed to giving your clients the very best of you?  I offer Social Work Supervision to LSW's and LCSW's focusing on your clinical strengths while providing challenge in a warm and supportive environment. I am also approved to supervise MFT's with a provisional license and LAC's.

 

My Philosophy about Therapy and Training

 

I am passionate about the ability of psychotherapy to transform the lives of our clients and the ability of professional training to transform us as professionals as well.  If you want to help others through therapy you need to bring your best self to session. Although you may think this means developing skills, it really means the ability to understand oneself in the context of one's life and the ability to be spontaneious in session. Good supervision helps us to understand the beliefs and values that drive us, as well as our clients, and to be more present so that we can respond in the moment.  In the past several years I have developed Supervision in Action which uses role play and "scupting" to help supervisees become better therapists.

 

Is Social Work Supervision for You?

LSW's are required to have clinical supervision in order to obtain licensing. Social Work Supervision can also help LCSW's by providing guidance in engagement/joining, framing problems into workable contexts, and by developing effective interventions. Supervision is also available to LCSW's who supervise other clinicians in order to provide support and clarification around ethical and other issues.  I believe supervision should be supportive building on the strengths of the therapist while challenging enough to stimulate new kinds of thinking and approaches to therapy.  Good supervision leads to personal growth as well as professional growth.

 

See NASW FAQ's on Supervision

 

Supervision Modalities

I offer social work supervision in a group and one-on-one.  Supervision in a group setting helps the therapist improve skills by practicing interventions with group members via role play.  Group supervision also provides the therapist with a network of peer support.  Supervision in a group gives the therapist an opportunity for experiential learning.  Experiential learning is a powerful way to learn because it utilizes sight, sound, feeling, and action.

 

Learn more about the Benefits of Supervision.

 

My Approach

My approach to Social Work Supervision uses role play and other experiential techniques in order to facilitate learning.  Trainees also have the opportunity to use the social atom, a type of genogram, effectively.  Additionally, trainees can present videotaped sessions for discussion.

 

My approach to Social Work Supervision helps therapists learn how to work systemically with individual clients.  This approach allows you to understand clients in the context of their lives: is the client recently retired, divorced, or suffering from a debilitating illness?  A systemic approach helps you anticipate the challenges and consequences of change: will an angry child become subdued if his parents stop fighting?

 

Supervisees also learn how to work effectively with couples, families, and groups and how to understand the relationship between interpersonal dynamics and the presenting problem.  Does the daughter cut when her father comes home drunk? Does the husband become depressed when his wife talks about having a child?

 

Trainees also learn how to develop effective interventions in the here and now.  Many clinicians struggle to intervene in client interactions in the moment.  Supervision in Action uses experiential techniques from Psychodrama to help you learn and execute interventions that are processed focused and can be observed and evaluated in the therapist's office.  Can a husband learn to speak to his wife without raising his voice?  Can a wife learn to let her husband nurture their sad son so that the wife is less burdened?

 

Supervision is also offered for MFT's and LAC's and LPC's.  Participants should have a graduate degree.

 

       For more information: contact Paula Ochs