Building Outcomes With Observation-Based Supervision: An FFT Effectiveness Trial

SAU consists of a 1-hour weekly group supervision session with the clinical team (typically 3-6 therapists). The on-site supervisor also conducts individual supervision sessions with each member of the clinical team. As such, the usual FFT supervision practice involves each therapist receiving two hours of supervision per week (one hour of group, one hour of individual). Supervision sessions are conducted by an on-site supervisor who has received intensive training in FFT supervision. The on-site supervisor also continues to receive feedback and guidance from a national consultant (FFT LLC) for one hour per month.

One intent of BOOST is to provide ongoing development of therapist clinical skills, and identify novel approaches to unique family circumstances that are consistent with FFT treatment. BOOST involves the BOOST supervisor reviewing the recorded therapy sessions prior to supervision sessions with the therapist and on-site FFT supervisor and weekly group and/or individual supervision meetings during which the BOOST supervisor provides feedback and coaching to the therapist. The goal of observation-based supervision is to ensure feedback to therapists is based on the supervisors' direct judgments about therapist behaviors, model adherence, and delivery of FFT services rather than relying solely on therapist self-report of session activities and interactions.