Supervision

Supervision

I provide clinical CBT, ACT and CFT supervision to clinical psychologists and counsellors on a one-to-one basis either face-to-face, or via telephone/video-call.

There are many definitions of clinical supervision, my particular favourite is: “Supervision is regular, protected time for facilitated, in-depth reflection on clinical practice aimed to enable the supervisee to achieve, sustain and creatively develop a high quality of practice through the means of focused support and development.” (Bond & Holland 1998).

Beinart & Clohessy (2011) summarized the research on effective supervisory relationships as follows: safe base (mutual trust, supervisee feels safe); openness & honesty; structured & boundaried, explicit expectations; supervisor invests in the relationship, is committed; educative & evaluative (supervisor gives regular balanced feedback, models & encourages reflection, is sensitive to learning needs); collaborative & supportive; supervisor is a role model (skilled, knowledgeable, respectful); and supervisee is open to learning, enthusiastic, committed, proactive & productive).

Feedback from the mental health professionals I have supervised (this includes Trainee Clinical Psychologists, Social Workers, Mental Health Practitioners, Community Psychiatric Nurses, Counsellors,  trainee and qualified IAPT High-Intensity Therapists) is as follows:

  • Our discussions were kept confidential
  • Cases were given adequate discussion time
  • Supervisor was non-judgemental
  • Stephen used humour appropriately
  • Supervisor remembered the details of my cases 
  • I got constructive ongoing feedback 
  • I was guided to help myself via Socratic questioning, but Stephen was didactic when appropriate 
  • My opinions were respected 
  • Supervisor referred to my goals, reviewed my progress and helped me identify my ongoing needs 
  • Stephen was open about my strengths and weaknesses 
  • Supervisor helped us to set and stick to an agenda 
  • Boundaries were kept regarding keeping to time allotted and allowing no interruptions to the session