The Missing Link in Supervisee Development
SHAPE-ing Clinical Agility Through ACT-Informed Supervision
- Speaker:
- Richard Sears, PsyD, PhD, MBA, ABPP
- Duration:
- 1 Hour 15 Minutes
- Format:
- Audio and Video
- Copyright:
-
Jan 22, 2026
- Product Code:
- POS150555
- Media Type:
- Digital Seminar
Description
Supervision isn’t just oversight – it’s shaping the environment where growth happens. But fear of making mistakes, pressure to perform, and anxiety about evaluation can quickly erode the supervisory relationship and stunt supervisee development.
In this session, you’ll get practical, evidence-based tools to turn these challenges into opportunities for growth. You’ll learn how to:
- Apply a Self of the therapist framework to reduce fear-based behaviors and foster authentic learning
- Reframe performance feedback as a growth accelerator rather than a source of stress
- Navigate evaluation conversations with clarity, transparency, and empathy
Credit
Handouts/Brochure
| File type | File name | Number of pages | |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Missing Link in Supervisee Development SHAPE-ing Clinical Agility Through ACTInformed Supervision (1.4 MB) | 23 Pages | Available after Purchase | |
| Transcript - the Missing Link (142.7 KB) | 30 Pages | Available after Purchase |
Speaker
Richard Sears, PsyD, PhD, MBA, ABPP Related seminars and products
Richard Sears, PsyD, PhD, MBA, ABPP, is a licensed psychologist in Cincinnati, Ohio, board certified in clinical psychology by the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP), runs a private psychology and consultation practice, and is the director of the Center for Clinical Mindfulness & Meditation. He has run hundreds of mindfulness groups and was lead clinician in the first brain scan study involving mindfulness with children and adolescents. He is also an adjunct professor in the University of Cincinnati psychology department, clinical research faculty at the UC Center for Integrative Health and Wellness, volunteer professor of psychiatry & behavioral neurosciences at the UC College of Medicine, and a former research/psychologist contractor with the Cincinnati VA Medical Center.
His most recent books include ACT with Anxiety (PESI); The ACT Flip Chart (PESI); Cognitive Behavioral Therapy & Mindfulness Toolbox (PESI); Mindfulness: Living Through Challenges and Enriching Your Life in the Moment (Wiley-Blackwell); Building Competence in Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (Routledge); and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for PTSD (Wiley-Blackwell).
Dr. Sears is a sixth-degree black belt in Ninjutsu, and once served as a personal protection agent for the Dalai Lama with his teacher, Stephen K. Hayes. He has studied Eastern Wisdom for over 40 years, receiving ordination in three traditions, and transmission as a Zen master.
Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Dr. Richard Sears maintains a private practice and has employment relationships with the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, the University of Cincinnati for Integrative Health and Wellness, Alliance Integrative Medicine, and Wright State University School of Professional Psychology. He receives compensation as a consultant and royalties as a published author. Dr. Sears receives a speaking honorarium, recording, and book royalties from PESI, Inc. He has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Dr. Richard Sears is a member of the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science, a diplomate of the American board of Professional Psychology, and a fellow with the Academy of the American Board of Clinical Psychology. He is a peer reviewer for Mindfulness and a book reviewer for John Wiley & Sons, Inc, and Routledge. He is the director of Center for Clinical Mindfulness and Meditation.
Additional Info
Access for Self-Study (Non-Interactive)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.
Questions?
Visit our FAQ page at www.pesi.com/faq or contact us at www.pesi.com/info
Objectives
- Identify common fear and performance pressure triggers in supervision and apply strategies to reduce their impact on supervisee growth.
- Use techniques for delivering clear, constructive feedback that builds competence and confidence.
- Determine evaluation practices that balance accountability with psychological safety in the supervisory relationship.
Outline
The Self of the Supervisor, SuperVision and THE SUPERVISOR’S EDGE in Supervision
- Tactics for developing Super*Vision
- Establishing the supervisory frame
- The importance of relational risk-taking
- Common sources of fear and performance anxiety in supervision
- Impact on learning, risk-taking, and professional development
Shifting the Supervisory Climate
- Building psychological safety while maintaining accountability
- Language and behaviors that reduce fear-based responses
- Developing relational muscles to counteract fear-based responses
Feedback as a Growth Tool
- Structuring feedback for clarity, action, and encouragement
- Avoiding common pitfalls that amplify performance pressure
Navigating Evaluation and Power Dynamics
- Transparent evaluation processes and criteria
- Strategies for discussing difficult performance issues
- Balancing support and accountability in formal reviews
- Cross-cultural dynamics, performance, and evaluation
Application and Practice
- Case examples of fear, pressure, and evaluation challenges
- Role-plays and supervisor self-reflection exercises
Action Planning
- Creating a personalized supervision approach that fosters growth and resilience
Limitations and Risk
- Some aspects of the subject matter could cause some temporary emotional discomfort
Target Audience
- Counselors
- Social Workers
- Psychologists
- Psychiatrists
- Marriage and Family Therapists
- Addiction Counselors
- Other Mental Health Professionals
Reviews
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