Supervision and Agency Management for Counselors

In their text O'Brien and Hauser provide a practical guide for navigating the career opportunities of a clinical mental health counselor. Counselor trainees transitioning into their first clinical jobs will greatly benefit from the descriptions of how agencies function and what to expect in community positions. Moreover, for counselors further along in their careers seeking more leadership roles in the profession, this text is a must read for expanding their role as a supervisor."óElizabeth Prosek, PhD, University of North TexasIntegrates and fosters effective leadership/management and supervisory skills The development of competency in management and leadership skills as well as clinical supervisory skills is of increasing importance to professional counselors who seek advancement in their careers. This is the first text to integrate both the clinical supervision and agency management skills needed by counselors who are training to work in mental health services settings. Highly practical and comprehensive, it brings together the critical leadership responsibilities of clinical supervision and agency management into one reader-friendly text. The book distills the wisdom of specialists in each subject area and is replete with in-depth information that is often not sufficiently addressed in graduate programs.The book provides a solid foundation for counselors planning to supervise clinicians working with individuals and groups, attain leadership positions within an agency, or open their own professional practice. It encompasses key information about supervisory roles and responsibilities, ethics, multicultural issues, evaluation, and due-process procedures along with administrative issues such as agency leadership, budgeting, information management, crisis management, and quality-improvement practices. Also included is practical information on networking and marketing in the community. Featuring case vignettes throughout, this book describes typical challenges faced during the transition to a leadership role and how to develop effective supervisory skills. End-of-chapter questions for reflection and discussion also help to make this an ideal text for courses in administration and supervision of mental health services as well as a valuable resource for internship students. Examples of commonly used documents, such as contracts and evaluation forms, further add to the book's utility.Key Features: Integrates management and leadership skills with clinical supervisory skillsóthe first text to unite these interrelated topicsTrains mental health counselors in skills necessary for leadership in agencies or large private practicesSupports CACREP standards for supervision and management of mental health services and programsIncludes samples of relevant paperwork (contracts, evaluation forms, etc.)Provides real-world examples through vignettes as well as reflective questions