Unpacking the 5+1 Internship Guidelines - Required Supervision Two-Thirds

Understanding Supervision Requirements in the 5+1 Internship Guidelines for Provisional Psychologists

As provisional psychologists work through their internship, one key aspect they must focus on is meeting the required supervision hours, a vital component of their development. According to the 5+1 Internship guidelines, there is a requirement when it comes to the type of supervision that must be completed to ensure you are progressing through your internship required assessment tasks. 

The guidelines state that a minimum of two-thirds (or 50 hours) of total supervision must be individual supervision with your principal supervisor. This one-on-one supervision is fundamental as it allows your principal supervisor to adequately oversee your program and monitor your progress while providing you the opportunity to receive time efficient tailored feedback, explore your specific challenges, and reflect on your work in-depth with your principal supervisor as they assess your competence throughout the internship. 

Other Supervision Options

The remaining supervision time can include additional individual supervision, small group supervision, or other supervision activities that contribute to your growth. These can offer a diverse and broader perspective and provide alternative support mechanisms, but individual supervision with your principal supervisor should remain your priority.

By following these requirements, you ensure that you are meeting the internship guidelines and receiving the required support to achieve success.  


Scenario: Compliant Supervision Breakdown

Background:
James works 40 hours per week in psychological practice (client contact and client-related activities). He is required to complete 2.35 hours of supervision per week, according to the guidelines. To meet these requirements, James arranges his supervision as follows:

• 1.5 hours weekly with his principal supervisor.
• 0.85 hours weekly split between secondary supervision and group supervision.

Supervision Breakdown:

• 2/3 of Supervision (1.5 hours): James spends 1.5 hours each week in individual supervision with his principal supervisor. This allows him to receive tailored guidance on his clinical cases, discuss challenges, and reflect on his professional development. This time with his principal supervisor is key to his growth and meets the 2/3 individual supervision requirement.
• Remaining Supervision (0.85 hours): The remaining 0.85 hours is fulfilled through secondary supervision and group supervision. James attends a secondary supervision session with a senior colleague for 0.5 hours weekly, which provides him with additional perspectives on his work. For the remaining 0.35 hours, he participates in group supervision, engaging in peer discussions and learning from shared experiences.

Result:
James meets the supervision requirements set out in the guidelines. He completes 1.5 hours of individual supervision with his principal supervisor (two-thirds of his total supervision time) and uses the remaining time for supplementary secondary supervision and group supervision, ensuring a well-rounded supervision experience.

 What James Should Continue Doing:

• Maintaining Principal Supervision Focus: James should continue prioritizing individual supervision with his principal supervisor, as this is essential for meeting the two-thirds requirement.
• Supplementing with Secondary and Group Supervision: James can keep using secondary supervision and group supervision as valuable supplementary tools for gaining broader insights into his practice.

Scenario: Falling Short of the Supervision Requirements

Background:
Sarah works 34 hours per week in psychological practice (client contact and client-related activities). Given her focus on managing costs, she arranges her supervision schedule as follows:

• 1 hour weekly onsite supervision with a supervisor included in her employment (secondary supervisor).
• 1 hour weekly with her principal supervisor offsite.

This gives Sarah a total of 2 hours of supervision per week, but unfortunately, this setup doesn't meet the supervision requirements.

Why This Doesn't Meet the Guidelines:

• Lack of Sufficient Individual Supervision: According to the 5+1 Internship guidelines, at least two-thirds of Sarah’s total supervision should be individual supervision with her principal supervisor. In this scenario, Sarah is only completing 1 hour per week with her principal supervisor. This means that only 50% of her supervision is individual, and it's falling short of the required two-thirds (1.5 hours).
• Insufficient Principal Supervisor Time: The remaining supervision time (1 hour with a secondary supervisor) is a good supplement, but it doesn't count toward the required individual supervision with the principal supervisor. Secondary or group supervision can help but cannot replace the foundational individual supervision with the principal supervisor.

Result:
Sarah does not meet the 2/3 individual supervision requirement with her principal supervisor. To comply with the guidelines, she needs to adjust her schedule so that at least 1.5 hours of her total weekly supervision is spent with her principal supervisor on a one-on-one basis.

What Sarah Should Do:

• Increase Time with Principal Supervisor: Sarah should adjust her schedule to ensure that at least 1.5 hours per week is spent in individual supervision with her principal supervisor, either by increasing the time of her offsite meetings or adjusting her employment-based supervision structure.
• Use Secondary and Group Supervision as Supplements: Sarah can still benefit from secondary supervision or group supervision (onsite or offsite) for the remaining supervision time, but these should complement, not replace, the required individual supervision with her principal supervisor.

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