Supervision for genetic counselors: The role of career-long supervision to develop resilient practitioners

Abstract

Supervision is a professional activity that provides practitioners with opportunities to reflect on, integrate and learn from work experiences, build resilience, and develop and review their professional identity through reflective conversations with a supervisor and/or peers. Supervision involves a contractual agreement between a supervisor and supervisee (practitioner), that recognizes the accountability of the supervision process to professional and organizational standards and protocols. Incorporating supervision into practice for genetic counselors at all career stages provides a way to develop and strengthen competence and practice and support genetic counselor well-being and client safety. Evidence also suggests that active engagement with effective professional supervision reduces the likelihood of burnout in healthcare workers. Genetic counselors in some parts of the world, including Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, participate in career-long supervision as a requirement of certification and registration. As the genetic counseling profession expands and diversifies, individuals and professional societies are encouraged to embed the practice of supervision beyond graduate training, establishing a professional culture that values career-long facilitated reflection and learning. We propose the establishment of a global genetic counseling supervision community of practice for genetic counselors interested in developing supervision practices and sharing resources.