Enhancing Supervision for Treatment of Adolescents: Approaches and Challenges in Guiding Supervisees.

I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to facilitate a Round Table Discussion at the upcoming International Interdisciplinary Conference on Clinical Supervision, which will be held in New Jersey from June 11 to 13, 2025.

The discussion topic is “Enhancing Supervision for Treatment of Adolescents: Approaches and Challenges in Guiding Supervisees.”  This topic is especially important to me, as I am deeply committed to supporting young people and promoting their mental well-being.  

As adolescent mental health illness continues to rise, professionals face complex challenges including: navigating developmental imperatives and emotional needs, addressing trauma and crisis situations, managing confidentiality and ethical dilemmas, and fostering effective collaboration between caregivers, educators, and healthcare providers.

Although the academic literature on clinical supervision continues to expand across disciplines, there remains a gap in the understanding of the perspectives of supervisors overseeing professionals who support adolescent mental health. While existing supervision theories and frameworks do not need to be reinvented, professionals must navigate the complex developmental, familial, relational and cultural dynamics unique to this population. An important aspect of adolescent-centred supervision is to equip the relevant professionals with the skills and strategies necessary to address the complexities of this specific demographic. 

The Round Table Discussion will offer a valuable forum to examine the real-world challenges professionals encounter in adolescent-centred supervision and to enhance the supervisory practices critical to effective treatment. Through open dialogue, exchanging clinical insights, and exploring innovative strategies, we aim to deepen our shared understanding, support professional growth, and ultimately improve adolescent therapeutic outcomes.   

I am eager to bring insights and lessons from this discussion back to Ireland to support professionals in improving adolescent mental health care.