In this episode of Supervision Smörgåsbord, Dr. Tara Sanderson welcomes back Jamie Watson, a licensed marriage and family therapist, for a deep dive into the world of clinical supervision. The conversation explores the unique requirements and philosophy behind AAMFT (American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy) supervision training, comparing it to other approaches and emphasizing the importance of systemic thinking. Dr. Tara Sanderson and Jamie discuss the responsibilities and challenges of becoming a supervisor, the layers of supervisor development, and the vital role of ongoing mentorship and consultation. The episode is filled with practical insights, personal anecdotes, and thoughtful reflections on how to better prepare, support, and inspire both supervisors and supervisees in the mental health field.

In this episode of Supervision Smörgåsbord, Dr. Tara Sanderson welcomes Dr. Sami Pieknik, a licensed psychologist specializing in neurodivergent affirming care, to discuss neurodiversity in clinical supervision. The conversation explores the challenges neurodivergent students and clinicians face within a field often focused on pathology, emphasizing the importance of accommodations, flexibility, and energy management for both personal and professional well-being. Dr. Tara Sanderson and Dr. Sami Pieknik share practical strategies for supervisors to support neurodivergent supervisees, such as curiosity-driven dialogue, individualized scheduling, and modeling healthy boundaries. The episode also highlights the value of taking breaks and building a strong foundation for a fulfilling career, with Dr. Sami Pieknik sharing details about neurodivergent-affirming trainings available for clinicians.

In this episode of Supervision Smorgasbord, Dr. Tara Sanderson (Dr. Tara Sanderson) dives into the challenging but crucial role of gatekeeping in clinical supervision. The discussion highlights the uncomfortable responsibility supervisors have in upholding professional standards, especially when supervisees aren't meeting ethical or clinical expectations. Listeners are given practical advice: instead of cushioning tough feedback, supervisors should clearly reference the relevant ethical standards and frame feedback as part of their duty to the profession. Dr. Sanderson also shares tools from the Supervision Smorgasbord Journal to help supervisors confidently handle high-stakes conversations, reinforcing that effective gatekeeping is both an act of professional care and ethical responsibility.

In this episode of Supervision Smörgåsbord, host Dr. Tara Sanderson welcomes guest Taylor Kravitz, a queer femme, neurodivergent sex and relationship therapist and founder of Empowered Fulfillment Therapy in Portland, Oregon. Together, they dive into how to best support neurodivergent clinicians in supervision, focusing on dismantling neurotypical and ableist standards, accommodating individual needs, and encouraging authentic self-expression within therapy spaces. The conversation covers practical strategies for adapting “big R” and “little R” rules, modeling self-advocacy, and creating supportive environments for both clinicians and clients. They also discuss healthy boundaries in supervision, the importance of feedback, and building robust support networks and consultation groups for professional growth. The episode wraps up with Taylor Kravitz sharing offerings at her practice, including therapy groups and business coaching for neurodivergent helpers.

In this episode of Supervision Smorgasbord, Dr. Tara Sanderson explores the concept of moral injury among supervisors in contrast to traditional burnout. She discusses the unique challenges supervisors face when forced to navigate systems that sometimes conflict with their clinical ethics, and introduces strategies for finding resilience amidst adversity—particularly through a practice called the "Legacy Audit." By encouraging supervisors to identify moments where their work aligns with their values, Dr. Tara Sanderson champions advocacy, professional longevity, and finding fulfillment even within tough systemic environments. The episode wraps up with an invitation for ongoing support and practical resources for supervisors looking to thrive in their roles.

In this episode of Supervision Smörgåsbord, host Dr. Tara Sanderson sits down with guest Matthew Verrette, a registered social worker and psychotherapist from Ontario, Canada, whose work seamlessly blends structured cognitive behavioral therapy with the creative world of geek and gaming therapy. Together, they explore how tabletop role-playing games and other forms of media can be intentionally integrated into therapy to enhance engagement and social skills, especially for clients with anxiety and depression. The conversation dives into the importance of "therapy first" when using gaming in practice, the value of supervision in helping new therapists find their own style, and the potential of movies, TV shows, and video games in exposure therapy. Throughout, Dr. Tara Sanderson and Matthew Verrette share their personal geeky passions, reflect on boundaries and use of self in therapeutic relationships, and offer practical advice for therapists and supervisors interested in weaving pop culture and play into their clinical work.

In this episode of Supervision Smörgåsbord, Dr. Tara Sanderson chats with Maria Laquerre Diego, a licensed marriage and family therapist known for weaving geek and pop culture into mental health supervision and practice. Together, they explore the power of embracing one's authentic, nerdy self as both a clinician and supervisor, highlighting the value of using pop culture references—like Disney, Star Wars, and superhero stories—to build rapport, create shared language, and break down barriers with both clients and supervisees. Maria Lacare Diego shares creative supervision tools, such as the Infinity Stone intervention and reframing villains’ strengths, encouraging professionals to infuse fun and imagination into therapeutic work. The conversation is lively and thoughtful, offering concrete strategies for promoting authenticity, connection, and creativity in the mental health field.

In this episode of Supervision Smorgasbord, Dr. Tara Sanderson dives into the concept of parallel process in supervision. She explains how supervisors can unintentionally mirror the emotional dynamics between their supervisees and their clients, experiencing unexpected feelings like exhaustion or anger. By naming and addressing these emotions through a relational check-in—the episode's “signature move”—Dr. Tara Sanderson offers actionable strategies for depersonalizing tension and fostering more effective, grounded supervision. She also highlights tools from the Supervision Smart Journal to help supervisors build resilience and navigate the "ghosts in the room," making supervision a deeper, more attuned process.