Making the Case for Trauma-informed Supervision of Forensic Mental Health Trainees

Abstract

Forensic mental health professionals are often engaged in high stakes cases and work with trauma-affected evaluees. Supervision is a vitally important process to help forensic mental health trainees competently manage the complex nature of the work, both during training and well beyond. Working in forensic mental health contexts often exposes trainees to case material and experiences that may put them at risk for development of secondary traumatic stress (STS). This phenomenon is defined and differentiated from other related terms. The emerging literature about personal and professional risk factors and ways to mitigate STS are also outlined. A case is made that trauma-informed principles can be applied to supervision of forensic mental health trainees both to ensure the health and well-being of forensic professionals and to promote ethical practice.

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