Supervising with Caution: Legal Pitfalls and Protections in Play Therapy Supervision

The mother in my neighbor Totoro in hospital with her 2 children standing next to her.

Play therapist supervision involves more than just developing therapeutic expertise. It is about safeguarding both yourself and the weak. The stakes are high when our supervisees work with families, communities, and children who are experiencing profound trauma. Legal missteps, regardless of their intention, can lead to severe consequences. Are you prepared?

As a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor, EMDR Consultant, and LMFT-S, I have seen how supervision becomes risky when legal and ethical foundations are shaky. From poorly documented sessions to confusion around mandated reporting or the use of touch, supervisors often find themselves navigating unclear terrain. This training, Supervising with Caution, is built to help you feel grounded and equipped.

The Risks

Let us start with the risks. Supervisees may face:

Mandated reporting confusion, especially when cultural or linguistic nuances complicate disclosures.
Documentation gaps, where minimal notes leave both the therapist and supervisor vulnerable.
Boundary violations, particularly around touch in play therapy or dual relationships in small communities.

Supervisors are vicariously liable for the actions of their supervisees.

Yep. That means your policies, evaluations, and contracts are not just administrative; they are legal prot

ection. Does your supervision agreement clearly define expectations? Are your evaluation tools aligned with the competencies of play therapy and cultural responsiveness?

This workshop offers practical, up-to-date tools. We will examine:

Sample supervision contracts and legal language for risk protection.
Evaluation templates rooted in both clinical competence and cultural humility.
Case scenarios involving court proceedings, from issuing subpoenas to testifying about a supervisee’s documentation practices.

The Ethical Use of Touch

We will also explore the ethical use of touch, guided by the Association for Play Therapy’s (2022) Paper on Touch. Supervisors must guide clinicians through the nuances of using touch in therapeutic ways while adhering to ethical and legal boundaries. What do you do when a supervisee says, “I gave the child a hug at the end of the session”? That conversation requires care, reflection, and clarity, not fear.

Culture, Power, and Identity

The legal lens is not enough. Culture, power, and identity profoundly shape supervision. A supervisee’s fear of authority may impact whether they disclose concerns. Systemic injustices can influence the way families react to required reporting or judicial involvement. We need to make room for these intricacies as supervisors. We can maintain our ethical obligations while providing compassionate supervision by using a culturally sensitive approach.

You will walk away from this training with:

More precise boundaries and stronger documentation strategies.
Greater confidence in responding to court-related demands.
An understanding of how to supervise across cultural differences without losing legal clarity.

Supervision is both a legal and ethical contract, as well as a relationship. One built on trust, safety, accountability, and reflection. Are you supervising with caution or with uncertainty?

Let us equip you to do both: protect your license and elevate your supervisees.

References:

Association for Play Therapy. (2022). Paper on Touch. Association for Play Therapy. https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.a4pt.org/resource/resmgr/resource_center/Paper_on_Touch_2022__-_Final.pdf

Association for Play Therapy. (2022) Play Therapy Best Practices Clinical, Professional & Ethical Issues. Association for Play Therapy. https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.a4pt.org/resource/resmgr/publications/best_practices.pdf

Liliana Baylon has a master’s degree in counseling & Marriage, Family, & Child Therapy as well as an MBA from University of Phoenix in Colorado. Since entering the therapy field, Liliana has developed an interest and niche in treating children and families who have experienced trauma, and multicultural issues from an attachment lens. To better treat these populations, Liliana has received training in different modalities, some of which she is a trained educator.

Liliana is an AAMFT Approved Supervisor, EMDRIA Approved Consultant, Registered Play Therapist Supervisor, Synergetic Play Therapy Consultant, EFT Supervisor, EMDR Certified, TheraPlay Level 1, Independent Facilitator of the Becoming a Love and Logic Parent Curriculum, Bring Baby Home Gottman Trained Educator, Gottman Seven Principles Program Educator, Completed Level 2 Training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy. Liliana’s brings a unique cultural lens into her therapy and supervision sessions. Liliana is passionate about working with fellow mental health professionals to embrace curiosity, inspiration, and discover meaning to rise to their full potential from attachment and cultural lenses. Liliana offers workshops in the field of Mental Health and Cultural Opportunity for Psychotherapist, Psychologist, Psychiatrist, Teachers and Consultations for Agencies, Schools, Private Practices, Mental Health Centers, & Non-Profits in English, and Spanish.