10 Hours / 10 CEs

On Demand | Self-Paced Professional Training

This on-demand professional training program on Essential Knowledge and Skills for Effective Supervision is presented by Donna Sheperis, PhD.

Clinical supervision of counselors, psychologists, marriage and family therapists, and social workers requires more than experience in the field. Approved supervisors in the state of California need to have training in supervision theory, modalities, laws, ethics, and standards of practice. This program provides attendees with the essential tools necessary to provide quality, ethical supervision to trainees in their agencies. Through the use of the didactic and experiential practice, this program helps participants expand their knowledge of basic supervision practice and develop their own supervisory style to best protect clients while developing clinicians under their supervision. 

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:

  • 1 Describe the roles of functions of clinical supervisors
  • 2 Describe major models of supervision influencing clinical practice
  • 3 Describe primary techniques of clinical supervision
  • 4 Describe goals of supervision tailored to specific supervisee needs
  • 5 Describe ethical and relational challenges in supervision

  • Intended Audience

    This training is designed for mental health and allied professionals who supervise or plan to supervise others, including those specializing in psychology, social work, counseling, and related fields. It is intended for individuals responsible for overseeing trainees, interns, or junior clinicians, whether they are new to supervision or experienced clinicians seeking to enhance their supervisory skills.

    • Mental Health Professional
    • Psychologist
    • Social Worker
    • Counselor
    • Allied Professional in related fields

  • Experience Level

    This training is applicable for entry-level professionals.

    • Beginner: Participants are new to clinical supervision or have limited experience, seeking to understand the roles and functions of supervisors, major models of supervision, primary supervision techniques, and relevant laws, ethics, and standards of practice in California.

  • Practice Setting

    Participants in this training typically work in environments where clinical supervision is a core responsibility. These settings include community mental health agencies, private practices, hospitals, outpatient clinics, schools, and nonprofit organizations. Supervisors in these roles are responsible for guiding and overseeing the professional development of trainees, interns, or junior clinicians, ensuring adherence to ethical standards, legal requirements, and best practices in mental health care. The work environment is often collaborative and multidisciplinary, requiring strong communication and leadership skills to support both client care and clinician growth.

    • Community mental health centers
    • Private therapy practices
    • Hospital behavioral health units
    • Outpatient counseling clinics
    • School-based mental health programs
    • Nonprofit organizations providing mental health services
    • University or college counseling centers
    • Residential treatment facilities
Presented By

Donna Sheperis, PhD

Donna Sheperis, PhD, joined the faculty at Palo Alto University in 2016 and currently serves as a Full Professor, Department Chair, and Director of the PAU eClinic. She earned her PhD in Counselor Education from the University of Mississippi and her Master’s degree in Counseling from Delta State University. Donna has taught in both in-person and online formats since 2000. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Texas, Arizona, and California; a Board Certified Counselor; a Board Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor; an Approved Clinical Supervisor; and a Board Certified TeleMental Health Provider, with over 30 years of experience in clinical mental health practice.

Donna has been practicing and training in telemental health since 2016, and under her leadership, the PAU eClinic became the first training clinic to incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) in support of student clinicians’ work. Her research and scholarship focus on the integration of AI, mental health technology (MHT), and innovative educational practices in clinical education and clinical care.


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CE Sponsorship Information

Palo Alto University, Continuing & Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by, recognized by, or maintains sponsorship provider status with the following boards and agencies. We maintain responsibility for all content in our CE/CPD programs. For more information, visit here. 

  1. American Psychological Association (APA): Approved sponsor of continuing education for psychologists.

  2. Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB): Approved continuing education provider (ACE program, Provider #1480), 11/22/2023–11/22/2026.

  3. Canadian Psychological Association (CPA): Approved to sponsor continuing education for psychologists.

  4. National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC): Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP No. 7190).

Sponsorship Approval Statements

Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT), is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7190. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Palo Alto University, #1480, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. Palo Alto University maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period 11/22/23-11/22/26. Social workers completing this course receive (clinical or social work ethics) continuing education credits. Continuing and Professional Studies, Palo Alto University, is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0103. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. Palo Alto University, Continuing & Professional Studies (CONCEPT), is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0356. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies, is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0073.