July Updates from Vered
Summer Season
Want to sign up for an upcoming free continuing education class?
Check out the full list of offerings at the link below!
Note on AI: It’s bad. I don’t use it and you probably shouldn’t either. Even if it’s made of goats.
Do I use a spray bottle, or what?
Rough conversations, often ignored
Important note: This article is not about Sprout, Vered Counseling’s recent intern. All hail Sprout! We are thankful for his help and wish him the best on starting college!
Some things are hard to say.
For example, I live in fear of meeting someone named Hamish. “Who’s your new friend?” my wife may ask. A cold sweat is my only reply.
Minor speech impediments aside, there are more serious things we have difficulty saying.
No, supervisee, that is a terrible idea.
No, supervisee, you need training to do that.
No, supervisee, you should not go on a double date with your patient to help with their social anxiety.
Despite all my hours of training to be a supervisor, I received zero instruction on what to do when a supervisee is bad at their job.
A quick poll of other supervisors I know shows that this is a common phenomenon. Most supervisor trainers assume that supervisees are competent. Diligent. Reasonable.
But we all have met at least one classmate of colleague where that isn’t exactly the case.
Most of my LMSW-to-LCSW supervision was done in a group setting. It wasn’t great. There were many instances I can remember where a peer said something — I believe the clinical term would be — fucked up.
I looked to my supervisor to maybe say…something? Nope. Maybe a “gosh, yeah” and then moving on.
This kind of kick-the-can-down-the-road supervision results in real patient harm. But, paradoxically, we as supervisors are rarely empowered to intercede. I, and others, only had permissive models of supervision.
We all can have (and occasionally do have) bad ideas.
Guidance without boundaries is abdication. It is politely nodding as someone drives over a cliff. It is — to use the clinical term once more — fucked up.
In short, the way to have these difficult conversations is to have them. An ontological ouroboros, where the first step is the solution.
Would y’all be interested in specific tools for these conversations? I’m considering making a training on difficult conversations, but it would have to be paid. My health issues limit the time I can devote to new projects. If this is something you’d be interested in, let me know by replying to this email.
To learn more about the existing Vered Counseling support offerings, read more below.
CEU Spotlight
Teens and Suicide
JFC, what can I say? 1
You know why this is needed, I know why this is needed, let’s keep people alive.
For understanding and intervening (in ways that don’t punish normal reactions), head on over!
This is one of the top classes that I get appreciative messages about, even years later.
If someone you know would benefit from any of the free CEUs, please share!
Showing Some Love
Urban Roots
Urban Roots is a great organization combining farming, youth empowerment, and food security in Austin.
Urban Root’s Hojas Program provides fresh food to local households in need.
Their (paid!) internships provide young people an opportunity to build leadership skills while helping the community.
To those at the great house it means nothing, this handful of earth, but to me it means how much!2
Learn more about their two farms, and see how you can become a part of food security and land stewardship in central Texas!
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Monthly Hater’s Corner
Sources Regarding My Ire
a.k.a. please don’t sue me
1 NOT WHAT THE MARINES ARE SAYING, AT LEAST: Sounds Like a Mutiny.’ Secret Recording Exposes Claims of Toxic Leadership After a Marine’s Suicide. (Addl: as someone who works with veterans, I appreciate the continued work of The War Horse.)
2 The Good Earth is one of my favorite books. It was written in the 1930s, about a family in rural China living through periods of famine. If you aren’t up for reading the book, I’d recommend reading some quotes/excerpts.
Until next time,
Vered