Identity Development in Supervision

CPD

Speaker

Charla Yearwood, LCSW Related seminars and products

Connected in Community, LLC

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Charla Yearwood, LCSW, is a therapist, educator, and clinical supervisor with over 15 years of experience in mental health practice. She is the founder of Connected in Community and directs Our Therapy Lab, a student-run clinic that has provided training for graduate students while expanding access to culturally responsive care. In her work, Charla is passionate about developing therapists who practice with authenticity, inclusion and confidence. As a clinical supervisor, she specializes in guiding emerging clinicians through professional identity development, helping them clarify their preferred practice approaches, identify client populations they feel called to serve, and cultivate their unique clinical voice. Charla is also a sought-after speaker and trainer, presenting workshops on inclusive practice, supervision, and therapist development.

 

Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Charla Yearwood has employment relationships with Our Therapy Lab, the University of Houston, and Connected in Community. She receives a speaking honorarium from PESI, Inc She has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Charla Yearwood is a member of the National Association of Social Workers and the Association of Black Social Workers.

Additional Info

Access never expires for this product.

For a more detailed outline that includes times or durations of time, if needed, please contact cepesi@pesi.com.

Objectives

1. Analyze the role of professional identity development in effective and sustainable clinical practice.
2. Identify at least three strategies supervisors can use to guide supervisees in clarifying their preferred practice approaches and client populations.
3. Develop a supervision plan that integrates identity exploration alongside skill-building to foster supervisee growth and confidence.

Outline

Understanding Professional Identity in Supervision

• What it is and why it matters for long-term clinician success
• Technical competence versus identity-building
• Risks when identity work is overlooked: lack of confidence, role confusion, burnout
• Limitations of research on professional identity development in supervision
• Ethical considerations: balancing identity growth with clinical competency standards

Facilitate Supervisee Professional Identity

• How to facilitate reflective practice for supervisees
• Explore theoretical preferences and practice areas
• Encourage authentic style, cultural awareness, and confidence
• Role of modeling and constructive feedback
• Case example

Implementation in Supervision Practice

• Practical structures: reflection circles, layered feedback, peer support
• How to integrate identity exploration alongside required skill development

Target Audience

• Counsellors
• Social Workers
• Psychologists
• Psychiatrists
• Marriage and Family Therapists
• Addiction Counsellors
• Other Mental Health Professionals