Episode 7: Well-Rounded Supervision
Guest Introduction: Courtney Domingue is the founder of Success Shaping and a BCBA supervisor. Success Shaping offers remote supervision, consulting supervision, and continuing education for BCBAs and trainees. Courtney emphasizes a well-rounded, flexible approach to supervision.
Key Takeaways:
- Flexible Supervision Approach: Courtney’s supervision style prioritizes flexibility, rapport-building, and aligning with the trainee’s goals and values.
- Importance of Multiple Perspectives: She advocates for exposing trainees to different models of ABA, avoiding a cookie-cutter approach, and encouraging creativity and individualization in practice.
- Psychological Safety: Creating a culture of psychological safety where trainees feel comfortable admitting what they don’t know and supervisors model this openness by admitting their own knowledge gaps.
- Continuous Learning: Courtney highlights the need for supervisors to stay relevant and continuously learn by seeking feedback, self-assessing, and being open to new perspectives both within and outside of ABA.
- Grassroots and Systemic Change: Emphasizes the importance of being involved at both grassroots and systemic levels to advocate for improvements in supervision practices and broader systemic changes in the field.
- Incremental Change: Recognizes that systemic change is gradual and encourages celebrating small wins and incremental improvements in supervision and professional development.
Connect with Courtney
Resources
Download the guide from Success Shaping
Practical Tips for Supervisors:
- Be Present: Dedicate focused, undistracted time to your trainees, valuing their growth as much as your own professional tasks.
- Seek Feedback: Regularly ask for and incorporate feedback from trainees to improve your supervision practices.
- Continuous Learning: Engage in professional development outside of your comfort zone to stay updated and empathize with the learning experiences of your trainees.
- Celebrate Incremental Changes: Recognize and celebrate small victories and progress in supervision, both in your trainees' growth and your own professional development.
Practical Tips for Trainees:
- Self-Reflection: Clarify your goals and what you seek in a supervision experience before choosing a supervisor.
- Seek Recommendations: Connect with others in the field and ask for recommendations or advice on finding quality supervision.
- Ask Questions: Don’t hesitate to ask potential supervisors about their philosophy, teaching style, and expectations to ensure a good fit.
- Leverage Networks: Use social media and professional networks to seek out additional learning opportunities and mentorship outside of your immediate supervision relationship.
Closing Thought: Courtney encourages supervisors and trainees alike to embrace continuous learning, psychological safety, and a flexible, individualized approach to supervision, highlighting the importance of systemic change and the collective effort to improve practices in the field.