@article{Armstrong2020,
title = {Professional Supervision in Mental Health Practice},
author = {Dr.Vasuki Mathivanan (IAPS President) & Dr.Phillip Armstrong},
editor = {Dr.Philip Armstrong},
issn = {1832-1135},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-06-20},
issuetitle = {Focus Group Discussion},
journal = {Counselling Australia},
pages = {20 to 34},
publisher = {Australian Counselling Association},
abstract = {There is a critical need for more mental health professionals in a country like India, which has a considerable lifetime prevalence (13.7 per cent) of mental morbidity. This paucity is further exacerbated with the existing services lacking the requisite professional standards due to the absence of mandatory guidelines that regulate the same. Professional supervision is considered the best means of quality control, which again lacks a definite structure in India and is not widely practiced. The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions of professional supervisors regarding the relevance of professional supervision in mental health practice, particularly counselling, in the Indian context. An explorative qualitative methodological approach was applied. A focus group discussion was conducted amidst nine female supervisors, chosen through purposive sampling, mainly because they had obtained certification as professional supervisors under the RISEUP (Relationship-based Integrated Supervision and Education to Unlock Potential) program by the Indian Academy of Professional Supervisors (IAPS). The focus group was conducted by a moderator, using a predetermined topic guide. Thematic analysis of the responses yielded seven broad
themes:
■ professional certification
– strengths and gains;

■ skill repertoire – similarities
and differences;

■ the professional supervisor
– roles and responsibilities;

■ supervisee to supervisor
– the challenge of transition;

■ supervisor–supervisee
– the power and balance;

■ self-care – practice to preach;

■ professional supervision
in mental health practice
– need and relevance in India.

Findings reported in this investigation are consistent with the rationale behind professional supervision and imply the need for intensifying research efforts to empirically validate its indisputable role in enhancing the standards and credibility of mental health practice, especially in the Indian context.},
keywords = {IAPS article in International Journal, IAPS Research Publication},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}