BACP registered psychodynamic counsellor and supervisor for training therapists, supporting people with different life issues including loss, trauma, anxiety and depression.
The activity of supervision is very much embedded in the world of counselling practice in the UK and endorsed by all professional counselling regulatory bodies. Supervision forms a significant ‘value’ within the BACP ethical framework and is defined as:-
“A specialised form of mentoring provided for practitioners responsible for undertaking challenging work with people. Supervision is provided to ensure standards, enhance quality, advance learning, stimulate creativity, and support the sustainability and resilience of the work being undertaken.”
As well as being a counsellor/psychotherapist I am also a supervisor. My role as a supervisor has developed through additional training, professional experience as well as learning consolidated through my own supervision. In addition to professional regulatory bodies promoting the significance of supervision, academics in the field of counselling practice have provided various (models &) definitions about the purpose, function and essence of supervision.
Inskipp & Proctor Supervision Model (2001) see that ‘Supervision is a working alliance between two professionals (Supervisor & Counsellor) where supervisees offer an account of their work, reflect on it, receive feedback, and guidance if appropriate. The object of this alliance is to enable the worker to gain in ethical competence, confidence and creativity in order to give the best possible service to clients’.
The supervision model that I have found particularly useful is the relational, systemic seven eyed model of supervision of Hawkins and Shohet (2012) as it fits with my own core values, philosophy and way of being and therefore is integral to the way I offer supervision. My desire is for supervisees to feel at ease and safe to share themselves and the issues that have become significant in their client work in a way that they feel understood and valued and not judged. I want to offer supervisees a space where they have the freedom to be open and creative about their work and to be able to accept challenge and feedback as a way of promoting their own professional development as well as enhancing their competence in terms of interventions.
I want to foster practice that is ethically minded, where the supervisee is encouraged to integrate their knowledge of theory, practice interventions, as well as the standards and guidance of their own professional body. I hope that this will promote deeper analysis and understanding of the supervisees client work but also themselves in a professional context.
The supervisor role of course has its challenges but as Hawkins and Shohet (2012) comment it’s about supporting supervisees to “develop their own style of working and their own solutions to difficult situations” they encounter in their practice (p51)
Michael Caroll’s (2011) understanding of supervision particularly resonates with me…….. Supervision is an exciting and passionate journey in learning from experience and that learning journey, is filled with insights, self awareness, challenges and surprises. Supervisees are the ‘heroes of learning’.
I realise that it’s important you feel that you are a good fit with your supervisor so please do not hesitate to contact me to arrange an informal meeting via phone or in person to discuss your supervision needs.
