571. Practical, Values-Driven Supervision w/ Dr. Alison Wilkinson-Smith & Dr. Stephanie Nelson

In this episode, I sit down with Drs. Stephanie Nelson and Alison Wilkinson-Smith to address a persistent gap in the field of psychological assessment: the lack of a structured, evidence-based approach to supervision. We move beyond the traditional "osmosis" model of training to explore how supervisors can intentionally externalize their implicit expertise. Our conversation focuses on the SCOOP framework and the SWIRL model, providing a roadmap for navigating everything from case conceptualization to the emotional ruptures that occur when a supervisor and trainee reach a diagnostic stalemate. By integrating research on medical education and elite coaching with the core values of therapeutic assessment, Stephanie and Alison offer a comprehensive guide to becoming an attuned and effective supervisor. Main Topics Discussed: 01:37: The origin of the collaboration and the "mixed bag" of early career supervision. 08:17: The current state of supervision literature and the competency-based shift. 12:42: Navigating the transition from unconscious effectiveness to expert teaching. 15:53: Establishing emotional safety and the "nesting bowls" of clinical containment. 35:29: An overview of the SCOOP model for structuring supervision sessions. 40:50: Using the "First Crack" method to identify a trainee's zone of proximal development. 54:22: Strategies for externalizing implicit clinical skills and avoiding the "master-apprentice" trap. 59:37: Resolving friction and diagnostic stalemates using the SWIRL framework. Cool Things Mentioned: Craft: the premier membership community for testing psychologists Crafted Practice: the only in-person business retreat for testing psychologists Reverb: the premier AI-powered report-writing platform for testing psychologists Stephanie & Alison’s upcoming workshop: https://www.level2psychconsult.com/supervision-and-mentorship-workshop Level 2 Psych Consult: https://www.level2psychconsult.com Essentials of Psychological Assessment Supervision (Jordan Wright): www.amazon.com/Essentials-Psychological-Assessment-Supervision-Essentials/dp/1119565507 Supervision in Neuropsychology (Bowden, Stuckey, and Bush): www.amazon.com/Supervision-Neuropsychology-Clinical-Neuropsychology-Practice/dp/0199837775 Therapeutic Assessment Institute: www.therapeuticassessment.com Featured Resources: TherapyNotes is the leading EHR system for mental health practitioners. I’ve used TherapyNotes for over 10 years, and it just keeps getting better. Use this link and the promo code “testing” to get two free months and try it for yourself! www.therapynotes.com/testing NovoPsych brings 150+ standardized measures into one platform. If you’re interested in high quality measures for personality, disability, ADHD or Autism, try NovoPsych with a 15-day free trial via this link: https://novopsych.com/testingpsychologist The Testing Psychologist podcast is approved for CEU’s! I’ve partnered with At Health to offer CE credits for podcast episodes! Visit this link to access current and past episodes available for CE credit. You can use code “TTP10” for a discount on ALL the course credits you purchase from At Health!