Optimally the best supervision feels collaborative: Laura’s role is to support supervisees in providing good quality care to their clients. Laura and supervisees may hold different perspectives on cases. Part of the reciprocal nature of this process is that both can learn from each other. However, as the supervisor, Laura is jointly responsible and potentially liable for supervisees’ clients. Laura is also, like the College of Alberta Psychologist, co-responsible for “protecting the public” – that is, maintaining the Code of Ethics for Psychologists and the Standards of Practice for psychology in Alberta. In the case of an ethical dilemma, if a collaborative agreement cannot be achieved, Laura is committed to further consultation with a supervision specialist to come to a decision on how best to proceed.

In the initial phase of supervision, it is important to take sufficient time to review all recommended paperwork, as required by the College of Alberta Psychologists, discuss the supervision agreement/contract, review the evaluative process, make any adjustments as needed, and establish the general format/flow for each supervision session. Laura believes that evaluations should never be a surprise and welcomes supervisees’ feedback if they have concerns with this process.