SUPERVISION- STAYING IN GOOD SHAPE

In my presentation I will talk about supervision as a relationship that supports the health of the counsellor.

Supervision is compulsory for all counsellors who are a member of professional organizations such as BACP and COSCA. It is considered to be unethical to work without regular supervision.

Supervision is not a new concept- it exists in many helping professions- medicine, academia, social work, as well as in business and other professions.Counselling and psychotherapy are unique in defining supervision as important for the wellbeing of the counsellor and requiring it to be separate from management, training and professional appraisal.

There are many models and perspectives on supervision, influenced by different models of counselling, different philosophies and different psychological theories. Central in all models are questions about responsibility and authority.

I will present supervision as supporting the counsellor in their development as a practitioner, so that they are fit and able to meet their clients at depth. Relating at depth to clients requires an openess not only to all dimensions of the client, but also to all aspects of the self of the counsellor

The purpose of supervision is development of the counsellor’s practice through reflection on SELF in relation to clients; supervision supports the counsellor in developing their ability to relate to a wide variety of clients.

This kind of supervision relationship is characterised by trust and collaboration between supervisor and counsellor. It offers the counsellor a space where they can attend to their own experience, where they are trusted to evaluate their work and where they can identify their own developmental needs. Supervision helps the counsellor to stay in good shape and supports the counsellor in the development of their ability to meet each client with energy, resilience and courage.

Elke Lambers, person-centred therapist, supervisor and trainer.

Course director of the PCT Professional Development training course in Person-Centred Counselling Supervision. www.elkelambers.com