0622 - Group Supervision: Transforming Your Practice Through Collective Growth

Course Description

Hours: 12

Group supervision is a powerful catalyst for growth, resilience and professional development across social work and other helping professions. It creates a dynamic space where diverse perspectives come together, helping to combat practitioner isolation, deepen clinical insight and sharpen ethical decision-making (Bernard & Goodyear, 2019). Grounded in evidence-based models, group supervision empowers clinicians to collaboratively navigate complex cases with greater confidence, creativity and accountability. Beyond its clinical benefits, group supervision is also an attractive option for organizations—it offers a cost-effective means of supporting multiple staff members at once while enhancing quality of care, staff retention and ethical integrity.

Over the course of this two-day Professional Development course, we will explore group supervision models and learn how they create a supportive space for processing the emotional impact of trauma work. Group supervision not only fosters safety and connection but also invites deeper engagement with post-traumatic growth and vicarious resilience—the profound ways clinicians can evolve and draw strength from their clients’ healing journeys (Tedeschi & Calhoun, 2004; Hernandez et al., 2007). This shared reflection helps renew purpose, reduce burnout and sustain the empathy and stamina essential for long-term, trauma-informed care.

Additionally, we will examine how group supervision provides a foundation for exploring use of self and maintaining ethical boundaries. Through guided reflection and peer feedback, clinicians can deepen self-awareness by examining how personal values, emotional triggers and relational patterns influence their work. When approached intentionally, this process transforms self-awareness into a tool for accountability rather than a source of risk (Reamer, 2018), enhancing ethical clarity, preventing boundary violations and promoting integrity—especially in complex or emotionally charged clinical situations.

You will leave this course with practical strategies for designing your own group supervision sessions, along with tools for effective facilitation and reflective handouts to support ongoing professional growth. In today’s challenging landscape, group supervision is not just beneficial—it is essential. It nurtures a resilient team, delivering the highest quality support to those who need it most.

Notes

Time Zone: All listed class times are held in ET (Ontario, Canada)

For more information contact the Faculty of Social Work Professional Development office:

Email: fswprofessionaldevelopment@wlu.ca
Phone: 548-889-4967

Cancellations and Transfers
Be sure to carefully review our cancellation and transfer information before registering.

Website: wlu.ca/fswpd

Applies Towards the Following Certificates

• Clinical Supervision Certificate : Clinical Supervision