Utilizing a Relational Framework in Supervision: Implementing Best Practices for Anti-Oppressive Social Work

Presenters: Jessie and Bethany are Doctor of Social Work (DSW) students from the University of Kentucky and social work practicum faculty members from their respective institutions. Their presentation will integrate theory, research, and practice by applying a multi-theoretical approach to the continuum of social work supervision, including practicum and licensure supervision. Participants will learn how a relational framework fosters an inclusive learning environment that encourages critical dialogue, self-awareness, and reflexivity, ultimately leading to a deeper understanding of power, privilege, and structural inequities within the supervisory triad. Jessie and Bethany will explore the fundamental principles of relational theory and demonstrate their application in social work supervision. Participants will learn practical strategies for fostering an inclusive learning environment through the use of motivational interviewing and emotion-focused conversations. They will illustrate how these strategies create a foundation for implementing anti-oppressive supervisory practices, including recognizing and managing trauma reenactment, leveraging lived experiences, and analyzing systems of power, privilege, and oppression.

Learning Objectives:

•  Participants will be able to identify the key concepts of a relational framework and how they relate to supervision and anti-oppressive practice. 

•  Participants will learn how motivational interviewing techniques enrich the supervisory triad. 

• Participants will learn how to identify and disrupt power dynamics in supervision.

• Participants will be able to identify trauma-informed supervision approaches. 

• Participants will gain skills for integrating lived experiences and self-disclosure into supervision.

3.0 Category 1 CEU's (Supervision)