A Different Type of Supervision: Training Clinical Mental Health Counseling Interns in Dialectical Behavior Therapy

A basic qualitative study examined the role of supervision in learning dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). Ten master's-level clinical mental health counseling interns completed in-depth interviews regarding their experiences of supervision when providing DBT skills training groups to adolescents in an inpatient psychiatric setting. Supervision was described as an activity in tandem with observation and shadowing, with the supervisor functioning as a consultant and teacher. Themes highlighted the importance of structure in mitigating trainee performance anxiety, and a focus on skills training during supervision. Implications for supervising counseling interns in evidence-based practices such as DBT are discussed.

Initial Validation of the Mental Health Provider Stigma Inventory

Objective: To conduct an initial validation of the mental health provider stigma inventory (MHPSI). The MHPSI assesses stigma within the service provider–client relationship on three domains—namely, attitudes, behaviors, and coworker influence. Methods: Initial validation of the MHPSI was conducted with a sample of 212 mental health employees and graduate student counseling interns. Scale conceptualization and development, content validation, and construct validation measures are discussed. Results: Preliminary psychometrics indicated good model fit for a three-factor multidimensional scale. Reliabilities were strong (coefficient αs ranged from .83 to .93) and the global stratified α was .95. Evidence of construct validity supported the hypotheses about the accuracy of underlying constructs. Conclusions: The MHPSI appears to be a reliable and valid measure of mental health provider stigma. As social workers comprise the front lines of mental health service provision, the MHPSI may be a valuable tool for guiding agency trainings and social work education.