Clinical supervision for counsellors and psychotherapists

Supervision that supports you and your clients

Good supervision is one of the foundations of safe, ethical and sustainable practice. It is a place to think about your clients, to reflect on what the work stirs up in you, to check your ethical footing and to keep growing as a practitioner. Most professional bodies, including BACP and UKCP, require their members to have regular supervision, but the best supervision offers far more than meeting a requirement.

I have over 20 years’ experience as an integrative psychotherapeutic counsellor and psychotherapist. I am UKCP accredited, a member of BACP, and hold a Diploma in Therapeutic Supervision.

Who I supervise

• qualified counsellors and psychotherapists in private practice or agency settings
• trainee counsellors and psychotherapists on placement
• practitioners working with individuals, couples or online
• therapists who also offer coaching and want a supervisor who understands both

If you are unsure whether I would be a good fit for your modality or setting, please ask. I am happy to talk it through.

An integrative approach to supervision

Just as my therapy draws on humanistic, psychodynamic and cognitive perspectives, my supervision is integrative. I aim to meet you within your own model and way of working, while offering other lenses that might shed new light on a client or a stuck place in the work.

In our sessions we might:

• explore casework and the relational dynamics between you and your clients
• notice parallel processes and what the work evokes in you
• think through ethical dilemmas, boundaries and risk
• reflect on contracting, confidentiality and record keeping
• attend to your own wellbeing and resourcing, so that you can keep doing this work well
• consider your ongoing learning and CPD

My background in couples work, online practice, workplace wellbeing and mind–body approaches means I can support a wide range of client work.

Supporting ethical practice and CPD

Supervision is a collaborative space for thinking about the ethical dimensions of our work, in line with the codes of our professional bodies. It also supports your continuing professional development: identifying areas you would like to learn more about, reflecting on training you have done, and noticing how your practice is evolving over time.

For trainees, I am glad to support you through placement, liaise as appropriate with your training provider, and help you build confidence as you find your own way of being a therapist.

A supportive space for you

Therapy can be deeply rewarding work, and it can also be demanding. Supervision is a place where you can bring doubts, uncertainties and difficult feelings without fear of judgement. I aim to offer a relationship that is both supportive and appropriately challenging, so that you leave sessions feeling clearer, steadier and more resourced.

Choosing a supervisor

The supervisory relationship matters as much as the therapeutic one. It is worth taking time to find someone you feel comfortable with, who understands the kind of work you do, and whose way of thinking will stretch you in helpful ways. You might want to consider:

• whether you would like a supervisor who shares your modality, or one who can offer a different perspective
• experience with the client groups you work with, such as couples or online clients
• whether in-person or online supervision suits your practice best
• how the supervisor approaches ethical dilemmas and risk
• whether you feel able to be honest, including about your mistakes and uncertainties

I would encourage you to speak with more than one supervisor before deciding. An initial conversation with me carries no obligation.

Online supervision

Online supervision by Zoom allows you to work with a supervisor who suits you, wherever you are based in the UK. I hold a certificate in working online and have a good understanding of the particular issues online therapists face, from contracting and confidentiality to managing risk at a distance. Many supervisees find online sessions easy to fit around a busy client diary.

If you are based closer to home, in Berkshire, Surrey or Hampshire, you are welcome to meet in person at my practice in Sandhurst. Some supervisees like to combine the two, meeting face to face some of the time and online at others, and we can agree whatever arrangement best supports your practice.

What to expect

We begin with an initial conversation about your practice, your client work, your professional body’s requirements and what you are looking for in a supervisor. If we agree to work together, we will set up a clear supervision contract covering frequency, confidentiality, fees and how we will review our work together.

Practicalities

• Format: individual (one-to-one) supervision
• Where: in person at my practice in Sandhurst, Berkshire, or online by Zoom anywhere in the UK
• Frequency: agreed together to meet your needs and those of your professional body
• Fees: please ask about supervision fees

You may also find my general FAQs helpful.

Get in touch

If you are looking for a supervisor, I would be glad to hear from you. Please send an enquiry with a little about your practice, and I will be in touch to arrange a conversation. If you are looking for therapy for yourself, you are welcome to book a free discovery call.