An Integrative Conceptual Framework for Grief-Informed Clinical Supervision

Future mental health providers often receive limited formal preparation in grief counseling and rely on supervision to develop grief-related competencies. However, supervisors may lack explicit guidance for addressing grief in supervision, particularly when supervisees bring personal loss experiences into clinical work. This paper examines grief counseling competencies and contributing factors, including personal loss, training, clinical experience, and supervision, and proposes an integrative conceptual framework for grief-informed clinical supervision. Grounded in supervision and grief counseling literature, the conceptual framework offers structured guidance to support supervisors in attending to supervisees' developmental needs, grief-related competencies, and personal and professional loss experiences.