Set apart from the plethora of online mental health provider directories, Empathus is specifically concerned with supervision. The primary focus is on individuals and overburdened organizations seeking quality supervision for fees that are based on a need-based sliding scale. Born out of the often difficult process of finding quality supervision - or any supervision - as a graduate level counselin
g/psychology or social work student, and throughout one's career, Empathus simplifies the necessary learning processes by providing an online directory and clearinghouse. It empowers individuals by supplying options, and supports seasoned clinicians who want to help guide those with less experience. It is often the job or internship site itself that is low on resources and struggling to provide necessary supervision during a practicum, internship, or post-graduate work. Empathus procures outside or contract supervision, making it possible for flexible payment arrangements between clinics, training programs, and supervisors. For example, clinics may not have the financial resources to employ supervisors who meet required criteria or who have the time to provide adequate clinical supervision. Empathus makes supervision for modest fees possible, as well as forging agreements between clinics, training programs, and individuals. Other groups that are served are: clinicians who want to supplement job site supervision with that which is specifically clinical; clinicians in private practice who no longer require documented supervision but feel a need for additional feedback and support; and clinicians who seek short-term supervision concerning specific clients/patients. It is our belief that clinicians who have for many years provided therapeutic services, and who have accumulated considerable wisdom about their abilities and limitations, will willingly make time to provide sliding scale supervision to younger colleagues. Empathus has created a construct for retirees and those who have slowed down their practices to put their knowledge to work in a gratifying way. It is exciting to think about paying forward clinical knowledge and skill one supervisee at a time, and in turn helping to mend and enrich the system. Additionally, Empathus's website will allow for an enhanced user experience, promoting the best matches for supervisees, taking into account where individuals are in their careers, and their areas of focus and interests. Empathus will build on its core user base and allow for complex interactions between users and data. It will also serve the public - the consumers of mental health services - who will undoubtedly benefit from the availability of quality supervision to service providers.
