Supervision - a Relational, Embodied Approach
I've worked as a counsellor and gestalt psychotherapist for 13 years, and completed my Diploma in Supervision at CSTD in Bath in March 2021. I offer sessions either online or in person in Kidderminster. I have specific 'supervision on my supervision' to ensure that I offer safe and ethical supervision to trainees, counsellors and therapists. My supervision style is creative, embodied, and relational.
I see supervision as supportive of the whole of a supervisee’s practice, including practical, ethical, theoretical and emotional/ relational processes; in particular, by paying attention to assessment, diagnosis and planning, looking at skills and strategies, exploring creative ways of working, and increasing awareness of the relational process and what takes place in the between. I am curious about growing edges – both my own and my supervisee’s, and a question which guides my work is, “How do we work at the growing edge, oscillating between supported risk, and the need to feel safe?” This is in part what clients come to therapy for, and what supervisees come for in supervision – to be stretched and made more aware, and for that awareness to lead to possible change. These are issues that I address at the start of supervision, helping both of us to ascertain whether we have a compatible working style.
My intention is to create an environment where being truthful and vulnerable is possible, and where we can bring the whole of ourselves, including mistakes. I am very aware of the potential for shame in supervision, as this was a familiar part of my experience as a trainee. The potential for squashing our clients or supervisees is always present, and at times it will happen. Repairing and healing a shame experience by recognising that the disconnection is relational and co-created, not just in one person, can be one of the strongest acts of confirmation. I see rupture and repair as a vital aspect of building a safe, open, trusting relationship. When paid attention to, shame can be transformed from something isolating to a connective relational experience.
I try to keep in mind power dynamics, cultural difference, and authority – how to use my authority consciously and respectfully to move beyond what is safe and comfortable towards the edges of what feels less familiar and risky – in the service of the client, the supervisee, and the therapeutic relationship. My intention is to facilitate my supervisee’s growth, authority, self-belief, awareness, creativity, and ethical practice. For me, conscious and respectful use of power is dependent on humility.
Finally, I also think that supervision can be a place for humour, fun, aliveness, and experimentation. I enjoy my supervision work very much.
I see supervision as supportive of the whole of a supervisee’s practice, including practical, ethical, theoretical and emotional/ relational processes; in particular, by paying attention to assessment, diagnosis and planning, looking at skills and strategies, exploring creative ways of working, and increasing awareness of the relational process and what takes place in the between. I am curious about growing edges – both my own and my supervisee’s, and a question which guides my work is, “How do we work at the growing edge, oscillating between supported risk, and the need to feel safe?” This is in part what clients come to therapy for, and what supervisees come for in supervision – to be stretched and made more aware, and for that awareness to lead to possible change. These are issues that I address at the start of supervision, helping both of us to ascertain whether we have a compatible working style.
My intention is to create an environment where being truthful and vulnerable is possible, and where we can bring the whole of ourselves, including mistakes. I am very aware of the potential for shame in supervision, as this was a familiar part of my experience as a trainee. The potential for squashing our clients or supervisees is always present, and at times it will happen. Repairing and healing a shame experience by recognising that the disconnection is relational and co-created, not just in one person, can be one of the strongest acts of confirmation. I see rupture and repair as a vital aspect of building a safe, open, trusting relationship. When paid attention to, shame can be transformed from something isolating to a connective relational experience.
I try to keep in mind power dynamics, cultural difference, and authority – how to use my authority consciously and respectfully to move beyond what is safe and comfortable towards the edges of what feels less familiar and risky – in the service of the client, the supervisee, and the therapeutic relationship. My intention is to facilitate my supervisee’s growth, authority, self-belief, awareness, creativity, and ethical practice. For me, conscious and respectful use of power is dependent on humility.
Finally, I also think that supervision can be a place for humour, fun, aliveness, and experimentation. I enjoy my supervision work very much.
