To help supervisors increase their knowledge and skills in STS-informed supervision, the Secondary Traumatic Stress Innovations and Solutions Center (STS-ISC) at the University of Kentucky (funded by a grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) developed training modules for each of the nine Secondary Traumatic Stress Core Competencies. There is an introductory module that provides an overview of the nine competencies and includes the Self-Rating Tool as a baseline self-assessment. Each subsequent module includes content designed to increase supervisors’ competency in STS-informed supervision. The modules include specific strategies to use with supervisees, a case vignette for application of training concepts, and discussion and reflection activities to help supervisors practice the skills and integrate the training content into their supervisory practice. Each module ends with a relevant relaxation or grounding activity to help supervisors manage their own STS. This training is available for individual supervisors and organizations wishing to increase their competencies related to STS-informed supervision.
Intended Audience: These competencies were created for use by any supervisor, mentor, or peer providing formal or informal support to workers who are exposed to secondary trauma.