Becoming an AEDP® Certified Supervisor
AEDP® Supervisor Certification recognizes experienced AEDP therapists who have demonstrated competence in supervising clinicians in the AEDP model. Through supervision of supervision, experiential learning, and the successful review of supervisory work, candidates develop the knowledge, skills, and supervisory stance needed to mentor the next generation of AEDP therapists.
The Supervisor Certification Journey
Develop as a Supervisor
Become a Supervisor-in-Training by meeting the eligibility requirements, assisting in AEDP trainings, studying the AEDP supervision model, and beginning supervision of supervision.
Practice and Refine
Deepen your supervisory skills through supervision of supervision, continued experiential assisting, professional contributions, and ongoing mentoring.
Demonstrate Supervisory Competence
Submit recorded supervision sessions, a culminating project, and recommendations demonstrating your readiness to become an AEDP® Certified Supervisor.
The pathway to becoming an AEDP® Certified Supervisor includes two phases.
▶ Phase 1: Become an AEDP® Supervisor-in-Training
Step 1. Confirm Your Eligibility
Applicants must have been AEDP® Certified Therapists for at least one year and complete all eligibility requirements within the year prior to applying to become an AEDP® Supervisor-in-Training.
Step 2. Complete the Experiential Assisting Requirements
Complete experiential assisting in:
1 Immersion
3 ES1 Modules
Note: To become an AEDP® Certified Supervisor, you will later complete an additional 2 ES1 Modules and 1 Advanced Skills Module (ASM).
Candidates who are non-English-speaking or who live in challenging time zones: Equivalent assisting hours may be completed through Institute-recognized trainings, supervision groups, or Core Training programs, online or in person, with positive feedback. Contact the AEDP Certification Committee to discuss alternatives if needed.
Step 3. Complete the Reading Requirement
Read Supervision Essentials of AEDP by Natasha C. N. Prenn and Diana Fosha
Become familiar with the seven elements of the AEDP Supervisor Certification Assessment Rubric including the supervisory stance.
This book presents the AEDP model of clinical supervision using videotaped sessions and emphasizes here-and-now interactions, affective resonance, empathy, and transformational learning.
Step 4. Select Your Supervisors of Supervision
Your Supervisors of Supervision will mentor and support you throughout the Supervisor Certification process as you develop your supervisory skills and prepare for certification.
You must identify two Supervisors of Supervision who will mentor and supervise you throughout the certification process.
At least one supervisor must be an AEDP Faculty member. The second supervisor may be either an AEDP Faculty member or an AEDP® Certified Supervisor who has been certified for at least two years.
You are encouraged to work with at least one supervisor you have not previously worked with. If you choose to work with two supervisors you have worked with before, please explain your reasons in your application.
Your Supervisors of Supervision will:
Provide a minimum of 10 hours of individual supervision of supervision using your videotaped supervision sessions.
Guide your development as an AEDP supervisor and help prepare you for certification.
Evaluate your progress using the AEDP Supervisor Certification Assessment Rubric.
Provide honest, constructive, and supportive feedback throughout the certification process.
Complete and submit the required joint application form to Carolyn Fitzgerald, AEDP Administrator
Step 5. Submit Your Supervisor-in-Training Application
Submit your Supervisor-in-Training Application to Carolyn Fitzgerald, AEDP Administrator responsible for certification.
Your application will be reviewed to verify:
-Experiential assisting hours and participant and/or Lead EA feedback if applicable
-Any required licensing or insurance documentation (if applicable)
Step 6. Welcome to the Supervisor-in-Training Community
Upon approval, you will:
Be added to the Supervisor and Supervisor-in-Training Directory, including your name, photo, location, website, contact information, and professional bio.
Be added to the Find a Supervisor and Supervisor-in-Training Google Groups.
We encourage you to create a personalized bio that reflects your professional background, interests, and supervisory style so potential supervisees can get a meaningful sense of who you are.
Important Notes Regarding Supervisors in Training
Supervisors-in-Training may provide supervision to therapists at any level.
-Up to 10 supervision hours with Supervisors-in-Training may count toward AEDP Level Three requirements.
-Additional supervision beyond these 10 hours is encouraged for learning and consultation but does not count toward Level Three requirements or Certification.
-Supervisors-in-Training may not serve as Certification Supervisors for Level Three certification candidates
▶ Phase 2: Become an AEDP® Certified Supervisor
Step 1. Continue Your Supervisory Development with Supervision of Supervision
Certification as an AEDP® Certified Supervisor typically occurs about two years after becoming a Supervisor-in-Training, although timing varies based on each candidate’s pace and readiness.
Complete a minimum of 20 hours of supervision of supervision, including:
At least 10 hours with each Supervisor of Supervision
At least one must be AEDP Faculty, and the second may be either AEDP Faculty or a Certified Supervisor who has been certified for at least 2 years.
Additional hours may be needed to support certification readiness
Step 2. Complete your Experiential Assisting AND Professional Contribution
Experiential Assisting
Complete:
1 Immersion
5 ES1 Modules
1 Advanced Skills Module (ASM)
PLUS
AEDP Professional Contribution:
Complete one AEDP-related professional contribution, such as:
Guest presentation
Regional engagement
AEDP research participation
Writing or publication
Clinicians’ Corner presentation
Teaching
Another AEDP-approved contribution
Step 3. Obtain Written Recommendations
Submit one written recommendation from each Supervisor of Supervision confirming your readiness for certification.
Step 4. Complete Your Culminating Project
Submit recorded supervision sessions and a microanalysis that demonstrate all seven elements of the AEDP Supervisor Certification Assessment Rubric
Your AEDP Supervisory Stance should be evident throughout your submission. Please refer to Element 1 of the AEDP Supervisor Certification Assessment Rubric.
Your submission should allow reviewers to observe you working with your supervisee around the supervisee’s clinical work with their patient. This enables reviewers to assess your tracking, teaching, and intervention skills, as well as your ability to guide the supervisee’s clinical decision-making.
Video Requirements
Submit one or two unedited video clips from one or two supervision sessions. If you submit two different clips, they can be from your work with two different supervisees (so one clip with each supervisee).
Each clip: 15–25 minutes
Total viewing time: 30–50 minutes
Recorded therapy material must be included so reviewers can directly observe clinical interventions, moment-to-moment process, and the application of AEDP principles in practice. This allows the Review Board to conduct an accurate and fair evaluation of both supervisory and clinical competence.
Supervision based only on supervisee report is necessarily more general and relies on subjective recall of experience, relational dynamics, and attachment themes. Recorded sessions provide the essential basis for an accurate, detailed, and fair evaluation of both supervisory and clinical competence.
Microanalysis Options:
Written Option
Submit a focused, time-stamped transcript and accompanying analysis (approximately 10 pages) that clearly demonstrates the AEDP Supervisor Certification Assessment Rubric, with each rubric element explicitly identified and labeled within the analysis.
Your written submission should:
Include selected, time-stamped excerpts that demonstrate your application of the seven elements of the AEDP Supervisor Certification Assessment Rubric, clearly identifying where each element is demonstrated.
Include selected portions of the supervisee therapist’s session with their client, comprising up to 50% of the submission.
Focus on the portions of the supervision session that best illustrate your supervisory process rather than providing a transcript of the entire session.
View an example of the recommended transcript format here
Oral Presentation Option
Submit a 60–75 minute Zoom recording of an oral presentation demonstrating the AEDP Supervisor Certification Assessment Rubric. Present your microanalysis of the screen-shared recorded supervision session(s) to one of your Supervisors of Supervision (with or without the supervisor appearing in the recording).
should include selected portions of the analysis that highlight specific moments in which you, as a Supervisor-in-Training, in conversation with your supervisee- therapist, demonstrate your mastery of the seven rubric elements (layer 2, green, of diagram below)
Your oral presentation should:
Include selected portions of the analysis that demonstrate your application of the seven elements of the AEDP Supervisor Certification Assessment Rubric.
Include selected portions of the supervisee therapist’s session with their client (up to 50% of the presentation). (layer 1, grey, of the diagram below)
If one particular area of the rubric is not fully exhibited in the video, provide an explanation for why it was not in this session and how it was covered in other parts of the supervision process
Candidates are welcome to choose the format that feels most comfortable for them. If submitting a written analysis (whether in grid format or narrative form), we encourage candidates to provide selected portions of the analysis that demonstrate the seven elements rather than analyzing the entire session.
Our intention is to keep the process focused and manageable. A full-session analysis can require a significant investment of time and effort, while reviewers do not need to see every moment of the analysis to evaluate a candidate’s competence. Instead, candidates may submit a concise analysis of up to 9–10 pages that includes time-stamped examples illustrating each of the seven elements of the AEDP Supervisor Certification Assessment Rubric.
Combined with the additional information provided about the supervisee, the supervisor, the supervisory relationship, and the context of the work, these selected excerpts provide reviewers with more than enough information to conduct a thorough and meaningful evaluation.
Step 5. Prepare and Submit your Certification Materials
When you are ready to submit your certification materials, email Carolyn Fitzgerald. She will send you a Dropbox link for uploading your submission.
Before submitting, make sure you include:
✔ Culminating Project
✔ Two recommendation letters
✔ Updated Experiential Assisting record
✔ Original Supervisor-in-Training application
✔ Copy of your professional license
Once your materials have been received, you will proceed to the review process.
Step 6. Review and Certification
Once your submission has been received, it will proceed to the review process and reviewed by The AEDP Certification Review Board. This board meets quarterly to review applications so please review the submission schedule on the website to ensure your materials are submitted on time.
Upon approval, you will:
• Receive an official certificate and letter
• Be announced to the AEDP community Listserv and News section
• Be added to the Certified Supervisors webpage
• Be added to the Supervisors Google Group
Helpful Resources
🟦 Supervisor-in-Training Application
Apply to begin the Supervisor-in-Training program.
→ Access the Supervisor-in-Training Application
🟦 Supervisor-in-Training Checklist
Track your progress and ensure you’ve completed all requirements for the SIT program.
→ View the Supervisor-in-Training Checklist
🟦 Supervisor Certification Guidelines
Review the complete certification requirements, policies, and submission instructions.
→ Read the Guidelines
🟦 Supervisor Certification Checklist
Use this checklist to ensure your certification package is complete before submitting.
→ View the Certification Checklist
🟦 AEDP® Supervisor Certification Assessment Rubric
Understand the competencies and evaluation criteria used by the Supervisor Review Board during the certification review process.
→ View the Assessment Rubric
🟦 Microanalysis Example
Review a sample microanalysis to help guide the preparation of your own certification materials.
→ View the Example
🟦 Supervision Essentials of AEDP
Required reading for all Supervisor-in-Training candidates and an essential resource for developing your supervisory practice.
→ Learn More
🟦 Submission Schedule
View upcoming submission deadlines and anticipated review timelines for Supervisor Certification.
→ View the Submission Schedule
-Michael Mondoro-