The Critical Need for Peer Clinical Supervision Among School Counselors

Abstract

The ongoing need for clinical supervision of practicing school counselors in the United States has reached a critical point. Given the acute mental health needs of children and adolescents, staggering caseloads, and pandemic repercussions, school counselors often receive insufficient clinical support. Clinical supervision is necessary to safeguard against burnout, promote ethical practice, and encourage continual skill development for school counselors worldwide. Unfortunately, there remains a lack of available clinical supervision, trained supervisors, and practice-based strategies for providing consistent quality supervision for post-master’s school counselors. The authors present a rationale for peer clinical supervision of practicing school counselors in the US and globally. Recommendations are provided for practitioners and stakeholders to be actively involved in strengthening the professional practice of school counselors worldwide through peer clinical supervision