Supervision

I have a limited spaces for supervisees. However qualified or experienced we are as therapists, we are always learning. It has been my privilege to share what I have learnt and also to learn from the therapists I have supervised. My aim is to form a relationship of openness and honesty, underpinned with the core conditions of congruence, acceptance and empathy, to create a safe confidential place for you to share and celebrate your successes as well as a chance to reflect on and learn from what did not go so well with your clients. I always aim to keep in mind for myself and my supervisees that making mistakes is inevitable and together we can work on turning them into useful learning opportunities.

How do I work?

My work is largely based on the Hawkins and Shohet Seven eyed model which you can read about in ‘Supervision in the helping professions’. The seven areas in brief are:

  1. Focussing on the client and what and how they present.
  2. Exploring the strategies and interventions used by the therapist.
  3. Exploring the relationship between the client and the therapist., including attending to the client’s transference and learning from the client.
  4. Focussing on the therapist. including how the therapist is affected by their work with their clients, both consciously and unconsciously, and taking into account the therapist’s well-being and development.
  5. Focussing on the supervisory relationship.
  6. The supervisor focussing on his/her own process – paying attention to what they are experiencing in the sessions. The aim of this mode is for the supervisor to use their responses to provide another source of information to the therapist.
  7. Focussing on the wider context in which the work happens.

Supervision should involve all seven of the above modes, but not necessarily in every session. The use of the different modes will also vary with the developmental stage of the therapist.

 

How much supervision should I have?

https://www.bacp.co.uk/ethics/newGPG.php

For qualified counsellors the BACP minimum recommendation for supervision is 1.5 hours per month which can be increased if necessary. This is a requirement for BACP accredited counsellors. Students should follow their course requirements as this can vary.

How do I know you are the right supervisor for me?

I am very aware of the importance of finding the right supervisor. Provided I have the availability to take on a new supervisee, I would be happy to offer you a free half hour slot where we could meet, look at what you need and whether I am the right supervisor for you. We could then discuss frequency, length of sessions, terms etc.

My requirement of you

Please note that whether you are a counselling student or a qualified Counsellor/Psychotherapist, I do insist that you must either be a member of the BACP or in the process of applying for student or full membership.