Two supervisors are better than one! Interdisciplinary supervision: A cross-

training social work and law therapeutic jurisprudence model.

Karen Keroack, LCSWFlorida State University, College of Social Work

University of Florida, Levin College of Law

Unifying philosophy for social workers and lawyers

Therapeutic jurisprudence (TJ) defined:

It examines the therapeutic and antitherapeutic consequences that flow from legal rules, legal procedures, and the behaviors of legal actors.

(Stolle & Wexler, 1997, found in Madden & Wayne, 2003)

“TJ”Basic proposition:

The law should promote therapeutic outcomes for the individuals, families, and communities affected by it.

Provides a common orientation to legal situations

An innovative approach to examine legal issues from a systems perspective

Supports collaborative interdisciplinary practice and creates a venue for individuals to engage in dialogue and creative problem solving

Our legal advocacy clinic

Who do we serve? Why are more heads better than one? Who are the team members and what

does each professional team member bring?

What is our model of representation?

Nuts and bolts about how it works! The practical side

Informal and formal processes:– referrals, case selection, case

assignments, firm meetings, team meetings, case management and documentation, interdisciplinary supervision, teaching

Cross-professional training

Differences and similarities– Ethical considerations– Boundaries and role definition– Language– Professional courtesy and respect– Values

Synergistic effects of cross training

Interdisciplinary supervision

Two supervisors are better than one!– Legal and social work perspective

encourages holistic representation– Legal and social work constructs are

used to build knowledge build knowledge, inform practice decisions, increase self-awareness, promote relationship building skills and professionalism

Supervisory functions and roles

Supervisor as Teacher– Structures experience and clarifies

expectations, understands and supports supervisee as learner, links theory with practice, modes, identifies and explains appropriate engagement, assessment, intervention and evaluation strategies, provides feedback and evaluates performance

Supervisor as Counselor– Explores feelings and concerns,

facilitates self-exploration and self-awareness, provides opportunities to process and define supervisees strengths and areas of development

Supervisor as Consultant– Allows supervisee to structure the

supervision, acts as a resource but encourages the supervisee to trust his/her own thoughts, insights and feelings about the work with the client, supports collaboration

Social Work Constructs

Ecological systems perspective

Relationship building skills– Developing rapport, use of self, active

listening, empathic communication, self-disclosure, authenticity, boundaries, strengths perspective, reframing, partialization, transference, readiness for change, empowerment

Social Work Constructs

Ethical principles– Commitment to clients, self-determination,

informed consent, cultural competence, awareness of conflicts of interest, privacy and confidentiality

Four stages of planned change– Engagement, assessment, intervention,

and evaluation

Social Work ConstructsMicro-

level

analysis

Macro-

level

analysis

References

Brooks, S. (2005). Practicing (and teaching) therapeutic jurisprudence: Importing social work principles and techniques into clinical legal education. St Thomas Law Review, 17, 513-530.

Brooks, S. (2006). Using therapeutic jurisprudence to build effective relationships with students, clients and communities. Clinical Law Review, 13, 213-230. 

Hartley, C., Petricci, C. (2004). Practicing culturally competent therapeutic jurisprudence: A collaboration between social work and law. Journal of Law and Policy, 14, 133-181. 

Kahn, B., O’Donnell, P., Wernsman, J., Bushell, B., Kavanaugh, A. (2007). Making the

connection: Legal advocacy and mental health services. Family Court Review, 45(3) 486-500. 

Galowitz, P. (1999). Collaboration between lawyers and social workers: Re-examining the nature and potential of the relationship. Fordham Law Review, 2123-2154. 

Hepwoth, D., Rooney, R., Rooney, G., Strom-Gottfried, K., Larsen, J. (2009). Direct social work practice: Theory and skills (8th ed.). California: Brooks/Cole.

Madden, R., Wayne, R. (2003). Social work and the law: A therapeutic jurisprudence perspective. Social Work, 48(3), 338-347.

Shulman, L., Safyer, A. (2006). Supervision in counseling: Interdisciplinary issues and research. Psychology Press. 

Silver, M. (2007) The affective assistance of counsel: Practicing law as a healing profession. NC:Carolina Academic Press.

Steinberg, R. (2006). Beyond lawyering: How holistic representation makes for good policy,

better lawyers, and more satisfied clients. N.Y. Review of Law & Social Change, 30, 625-635. Wright, J. (2005). Therapeutic jurisprudence in an interprofessional practice at the University of St,

Thomas Interprofessional Center for Counseling and Legal Services. St. Thomas Law Review,

17, 501-512.