Fitch, J. C., & Pistole, M. C. (2005, August). Supervision: Critical Incidents in

1. Supervision: Critical Incidents in Counselor DevelopmentJenelle C. Fitch, M.A. and M. Carole Pistole, Ph.D.Purdue University Fitch, J. C., & Pistole, M. C. (2005, August). Supervision: Critical Incidents in Counselor Development. Poster presented at the Annual American Psychological Association Convention, Washington, D.C. jcfitch@purdue.edu and pistole@purdue.edu

2. Critical Incidents - Definition • Essential Form of Counselor Development (Skovholt & McCarthy, 1988) • Significant and Influential Events in Counselor’s Professional Development (Furr & Carroll, 2003) • Positive or Negative • Developmental Turning Points • Contribute to Personal and Professional Development (Offerman-Zuckerburg, 1998; Skovholt & McCarthy)

3. Critical incidents – Counselor’s Experience • Immersed in an Intense, Emotional Struggle • Felt as Profound Change & Turning Point • Outcome is Transformed, More Sophisticated Counseling Skill (Furr & Carroll; Morrissette,1996)

4. CI – Supervisor Experience • Counselor’s CI • Teachable Moment (Morrissette, 1996) • Intervene to Facilitate Development • Provide Support (Rabinowitz, Heppner, & Roehlke, 1996) • Identify Clinical Challenges & Knowledge (Wetchler & Vaughn, 1991) • Direct Toward Higher Order, Personal-Professional Integration • Monitor Clients • Little Literature; Conditions for ACMS (Fitch, Pistole, & Gunn, 2005)

5. Attachment-Caregiving Model of Supervision (ACMS) Attachment System Activation Evidenced by: Overly-Directive, Focus Away from Emotional Material Counselor Anxiety Due to: Clients’ Intense Emotion & Material (i.e., Death & Dying) Supervisor Safe Haven Function Evidenced by: Sensitivity & Responsiveness Attachment System Deactivated / Exploratory System Activated Evidenced by: Non-Therapeutic Behaviors Cease, Interventions are Therapeutic Supervisor secure base Evidenced by: Providing Guidance to PC, Calling in When He / She Sees the PC is Unsure or Anxious Increased Competence Evidenced by: Effective Interventions & Client Progress, Counselor’s Greater Self-Efficacy

6. CI – Case Scenario • Context for Critical Incident • Counselor • 30ish-Year-Old Newly Pregnant Female • Clients • 50ish-Year-Old with Severe Chronic Health Problems • Recently Diagnosed with a Pernicious Cancer • 30ish-Year-Old • Older Sibling Diagnosed with a Pernicious Cancer • Confluence: New Life vs. Lives Threatened

7. Anxiety: Provokes Attachment System Activation • Clients: • Intense Emotion • Intense Material (i.e., death, dying) • Counselor’s Identity Change: • Incorporate Pregnancy, Parenthood, Program Material (i.e., Theoretical Foundations / Conceptualizations) • Concerns: • How and When to Disclose Pregnancy (i.e., Fallon & Brabender 2003; Stuart, 1997) • Impact of the Pregnancy on Clients, Especially the Clients Dealing with Terminal Illness

8. CI – Signals • Counselor Non-Therapeutic Behavior • Defensive Flight from Emotion • Increased Overly-Directive Interventions • Distancing the Client • Questioning vs. Prompting Client Exploration • Quick Pacing, Question-Answer Sessions • Conceptualization • Counselor Anxiety & • Attachment System Activation

9. Supervisory Safe Haven Function • Goal: Attachment System Deactivation & Exploratory System Activation • Caregiving Mechanisms • Sensitivity: Notice Counselor’s Anxiety and Attachment Cues • Responsiveness: Address Emotion (e.g., “you seem so tired ... the pregnancy? the intensity of the clients? ... and they are back-to-back sessions.”) • Flexibility: Consider Counselor’s Attachment Style

10. Attachment System Deactivation • Exploratory System Activation • Therapeutic Behavior • Facilitate Client Exploration • Identify Emotions and Concerns • Coach Intense Family Conversations & Rituals • Guide to Positives and Negatives about the Life Lived to this Point • Theoretical Applications • Personal Growth

11. Supervisory Secure Base Function • Function as Stronger and Wiser (Bowlby, 1988) to Anchor Counselor • Professional Knowledge – Foundation to Anchor Counselor, Even If Lack Cancer-Relevant Knowledge • “You don’t know when I’m observing, but I will be with you” • Provide Guidance as Needed • Clinical Challenges – (a) Client Reclamation of Life’s Meaning, (b) Accept Uncertainty as a Part of Life, & (c) Living with Terminal Illness (Eelink & Duffy, 2004; Holt, Houg, & Romano, 1999)

12. Increased Counselor Competence • More Effective Skills in Probing & Exploring Client Material • Enhanced Understanding of Existential Theory • Self-Directed Learning about “The Pregnant Counselor” (i.e., Fallon & Brabender, 2003) • Greater Self-Efficacy and Confidence • Internalize Autonomy & Competence

13. Conclusion • As Important In Counselor Development, Critical Incidents Merit Supervision • Development Can Occur As the Counselor & Clients Grapple with the “Ambiguity of the Human Condition” (Skovholt & Ronnestad, 2003, p. 46) • Clients Teach Counselors / Supervisors • Hope and Resolution Can Emerge in Very Strenuous Circumstances