Using learning objectives for psychotherapy supervision

Abstract

Although learning objectives, often in the form of competencies, are now standard for training mental health professionals, they are not generally used to guide psychotherapy supervision. Nevertheless, when learning objectives are not used to guide supervision, supervisors and supervisees often remain uncertain about the goals of supervision, how those goals should be attained, and how they should be assessed. In this paper we review the literature on learning objectives for psychotherapy training and supervision, outline reasons for using learning objectives in psychotherapy supervision, and suggest ways to use learning objectives in training.