Supervision is a formal arrangement for therapists to discuss their work regularly with someone who is experienced in both therapy and supervision.

I work with Hawkins & Shohets model of supervision with a seven eyed focus on:

During supervision we will explore the presenting problem, progress of counselling, theories used and goals for supervision.

I also offer external supervision to those who are not counsellors but who work with others in a supportive or managerial role, or who require supervision of their work with vulnerable client groups.

Supervision sessions can be weekly, fortnightly or monthly and last either 50 minutes or 1.5 hours for individual one-to-one supervision.

The information on this page is also available from the BACP at: www.bacp.co.uk

What is Supervision?

Supervision is a formal arrangement for therapists to discuss their work regularly with who is experienced in both therapy and supervision. The task is to work together to ensure and develop the efficacy of the therapist! client relationship. The agenda will be the therapy and feeling about that work, together with the supervisor’s reactions, comments and challenges. Thus supervision is a process to maintain adequate standards of therapy and a method of consultancy to widen the horizons of an experienced practitioner. In choosing a supervisor, therapists need to assess their position on a scale ranging from newly qualified to very experienced, to decide the main focus of the therapy work undertaken and to take into account their own training, philosophy and methods.

The setting for therapy may be an important factor. Agencies and institutions may have their own criteria for supervision and provide supervisors from within the organisation. Where outside supervision is more appropriate, considerable discussion and negotiation may be needed to arrange time away from work, financial support and assurance of confidentiality. Private practitioners must arrange their own

Why supervision is essential for the practising therapist

By its very nature, therapy makes considerable demands upon therapists who may become over-involved, ignore some important point, and become confused as to what is taking place within a particular client or have undermining doubts about their own usefulness. It is difficult, if not sometimes impossible, to be objective about one’s therapy and the opportunity to discuss it in confidence with a suitable person is invaluable. Good therapy also requires the therapist to relate practice to theory and vice versa. Supervision can help the therapist to develop their practice and in this sense, it is one aspect of continued training. The supervisor can ensure that the therapist is addressing the needs of the client, can monitor the relationship between the therapist and client to maximize the therapeutic effectiveness of the relationship and ensure that ethical standards are adhered to throughout the therapy process. Though not concerned primarily with training, personal therapy or line management, supervisors will encourage and facilitate the ongoing self-development, continued learning and self-monitoring of the therapist.