Learning Objectives:
- Articulate the value of storytelling as a supervision method for imparting wisdom and perspective.
- Discuss the concept of “wounded healers” and its relevance in social work supervision.
- Summarize the strengths of supervision models built on transparency, empathy, and compassion.
-
- MATERIALS: Presentation
- Workshop Recording Link
Abstract:
Supervision can be an intimate space for clinicians to grow through storytelling. Sharing personal challenges and the strength to overcome them binds us together as wounded healers. During my years as a clinical supervisor, I have seen the power of storytelling and shared experiences used to bring myself as well as those I supervised to a place of healing. The commonality among clinicians is often the challenges in life that have drawn us into this helping profession. When we reflect on how we ourselves have overcome obstacles we are better prepared to partner with those we work with to help them achieve their goals as well.
The supervision relationship is one that fosters the strength of the early clinician. The use of storytelling allows sharing of past experiences which gives insight to the development of the clinician and allows the supervisor to better meet them where they are. With the use of storytelling, we are able to share our past while at the same time choosing what our future will look like. By using this approach, we allow room for this tool to be used with the clients that we serve. Using storytelling in supervision has led to the development of clinicians who become more comfortable with the realization that providing clinical services is not just about helping a certain population of people, but realizing that we too are a part of the population we serve. In sharing our stories, we realize that we have more commonalities than differences and gain a sense of togetherness.
Biography:
Dr. Omekio Riggins LCSW, LCAS-A, CCTP-II, LPN with Metamorphosis Unlimited PLLC
Dr. Omekio Riggins is the owner of Metamorphosis Unlimited PLLC, a mental health agency that currently services both North Carolina and Virginia. She is also a Post 911 Military to VA Program Manager for the Veteran Affairs. She is a licensed clinical social worker, a licensed clinical addiction specialist associate, and a licensed practical nurse. She is certified in clinical trauma, integrative health coaching, and primary care mental health. She provides mentorship, preceptorship, and is a MSW Field Instructor for multiple Universities and Colleges to include Fayetteville State University, The University of North Carolina at Pembroke, Simmons University, Saint Leo University, Frontier Nursing University, Capella University and Walden University.
Dr. Riggins’s focus of research has been on mental health within the relationship of the African American church. She has a nonprofit organization MetamorphYou which works to eliminate barriers to mental health through empowerment, music, and therapy. Dr. Riggins is the author of “Omekio’s Purse,” co-author of “Bounce Back Girl” and her most recent Book Titled “Wounded Healer” is an anthology project coauthored by developing clinical social workers that she has provided supervision for over the years. She is also featured in Power Magazine 2023 Edition.