Conducting Telehealth Supervision
Telehealth Supervision
In this day and age, it is quite common for BCBAs to engage in telehealth supervision in order to meet their supervision requirements for their clients. Post COVID, telehealth supervision has been established as a normal practice among BCBAs.
Well telehealth supervision can be quite convenient for the clinician, there are a few things to keep in mind if you intend on using telehealth supervision in your own practice.
1. Nothing beats a hands on approach
Telehealth supervision is at a disadvantage because you're limited by distance. Virtual supervision puts you behind a screen, and even if your clients at the other end is losing their minds and engaging in all sorts of challenging behaviors, you as a telehealth supervisor will not be able to physically intervene or help the therapist.
Because of this, some clinicians prefer in-person supervision over telehealth supervision. But there are ways to help your therapists intervene without being physically present.
2. Utilize all possible forms of communication
Don't rely solely on the computer to help you communicate with your therapist. Remember that you have your phone to call or text the therapist if there ever off screen or if their client is causing a ruckus.
There have been times when I'm supervising a client who engages in significant attention seeking behavior, so much so that I rely heavily on texting the therapist to keep them updated when the client is nearby.
Texting can also help you communicate when the environment around the client is busy and loud. This is especially helpful when working on social skills and inviting other kids to interact with your client.
3. Keep communication consistent
Even something as small as a quick praise, or positive social reinforcement, can help reassure your therapist that you are present and you are there for them.
It can be easy for a behavior technician to feel alone and isolated during telehealth supervision. Taking steps to ensure your therapist doesn't feel left alone, such as leaving your camera on and commenting on how the session is going, can help alleviate some of these feelings.
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4. Don't take it personally when you are ignored
The biggest thing to remember during any supervision session is that the client comes first. If you are supervising one of your technicians via telehealth, they may be put in a position where they have to choose between continuing to give you their attention and attending to their client.
Encourage your therapist to focus on the client first. I always tell my therapist during telehealth supervision that they are more than welcome to stop and walk away from a conversation with me immediately if their client is experiencing an emergency or is requesting their attention (appropriately, of course)!
5. Take advantage of your time
One of the biggest benefits of telehealth supervision is that you as the clinician can sit down and have uninterrupted programming time during supervision.
During in-person supervision, sometimes you are drawn away from your computer to help your therapist or help your client. However, during telehealth supervision, you won't ever experience being pulled away from your computer by your therapist or client. Because of this, there is potential to get a lot of behind-the-scenes work done!
