Supervision

This blog is intended for counsellors and those training to become counsellors, but it might also be informative for clients. If you're a client who has seen supervision referenced in your counselling contract and are unsure about its purpose or the reason your counsellor participates in supervision, this might be helpful for you.

What is supervision?

Supervision is a collaborative relationship between a counsellor and a typically more experienced counsellor. Unlike managerial relationships, where there is authority over the counsellor, supervision seeks to reduce the power imbalance.

Supervision should provide a supportive and challenging environment. It's a place where you can openly discuss your clients, the impact of your work on you, and the influence of the broader counselling field and wider world. It may sometimes feel like a tight-rope between supervision and personal therapy, as you are human and your personal life, personality, history, biases, and assumptions will inevitably affect your client work at times.

Ideally, your supervisor will be accessible between sessions to address safeguarding concerns.

Engaging in regular supervision is an ethical requirement from membership bodies. For example BACP require registered members to have a minimum of 1.5 hours a month with this increasing depending on need. However, supervision shouldn’t just be a tick box for ethical compliance. Supervision as a tick box for ethical compliance is not beneficial for the supervisor, supervisee and most importantly it does not benefit the clients. In my view, ticking a box for ethical compliance results in unethical practice.

Advantages of supervision:

• Provides support

• Ensures safe practice

• Promotes self-care for the counsellor

• Improves therapeutic outcomes for client

• Personal and professional development

• Encourages reflective practice

• Reduces counsellor isolation and burnout
  

Disadvantages of supervision:

I personally really value supervision and it took me some time to consider the disadvantages. However the factors that come to my mind are:

• Cost

• Time

I believe supervisors should charge for their expertise and services, as this demonstrates the value and worth to our supervisees. However, it's important to remember that many counsellors have modest incomes, so they may only be able to afford the minimum supervision required by their ethical membership, even if more supervision is needed. Qualified supervisees can address this by participating in peer groups to supplement their supervision. Building a professional support network is crucial for reducing counsellor isolation and burnout. Counsellors may also find it helpful to look on counselling social media pages as there are supervisors offering low-cost supervision and trainee supervisors offering low-cost or free supervision.

Some supervisees might find it challenging to manage their time, as handling a large client load, continuing professional development, personal therapy, and personal life can leave little room for supervision. Despite its importance for professional growth and ethical practice, supervision can be overlooked and not prioritised appropriately.

How to find a supervisor

There are numerous ways you may find a supervisor

• A recommended list supplied by your course provider (if you are a trainee)

• Directories

• Your membership register

• Counselling social media pages - often there is a designated day where people can ask for a supervisor or advertise their services as a supervisor.

• Word of mouth

What to look for:

Counsellors and trainees frequently inquire about what to seek in a supervisor, which can be difficult to answer due to its subjective nature. Initially, I believe it's crucial to meet with a potential supervisor and come prepared with questions, as you are also evaluating if they are suitable for you. What kind of supervisor would you prefer to work with? Questions you might ask:

• What is your client experience? (presenting problems, niche's, age range of client) For example: if you work with young people, you won't find it helpful working with a supervisor who only has experience working with adults.

• What is your modality/approach? For example: If you are a person-centred counsellor but the supervisor you are speaking to is psychodynamic, will this be helpful to you?

• How long have you been a counsellor? This question might not be important to you but it might be important to your training provider if you are a student.

• How long have you been a supervisor? This question might also not be important to you but again, it might be important to your training provider if you are a student.

• Are you available between supervision sessions for safeguarding concerns?

• Are you available between supervision sessions for other reasons?

• What is your availability? For example: can they meet your needs if you need fortnightly sessions

• How do you weave in ethical thinking and use of the ethical framework?

• What might support and challenge look like in supervision with you?

The types of questions you ask will be down to your own preference but will hopefully support you assessing whether you want/can work with this supervisor.

For me, supervision is a place where I feel both supported and challenged. It's an environment where I can be my authentic self and evaluate my practice, acknowledging successes and exploring ways to improve. After all, I'm human and I make mistakes, so it's important for me to be able to reflect on this without being scolded.