Clinical supervision is essential to safe and ethical practice as a counsellor. Much of our client facing work is one to one for confidentiality which means no one is observing the process. Supervision provides counsellors with a safe and supportive place to collaboratively view the counselling journey with clients. It is also a place to get feedback on how you are working, the interventions used and to learn about others ways of working from supervisor and colleagues.
When I think of supervision I think of a bain marie or holding pot like the one pictured here. Within the 'holding pot' of the supervisor is the 'holding pot' of the counsellor holding the client. The client is always at the centre of the process.
I find Hawkins and Shohet's Seven-eyed supervision model brings both observation and holding into its multi-system approach to the therapeutic work. The client is right there in the middle with counsellors, relationships, interventions, services and systems all connected around this individual.
I also keep in mind Proctor's tasks of supervision - to encourage and nurture, to teach and tutor and to manage and set boundaries.
I hold a Certificate in Therapeutic Supervision and offer individual and group supervision face to face in Lewisham and online. If you would like this service, please get in touch with me.
Feedback from past supervisees....
'Lisa supervised me in my first year of practice and provided really thoughtful advice and support. I particularly appreciated her ability to help me think about some of my more complex cases in a practical way, as well as providing theoretical insight.'
'I would like to say throughout the supervision with you, I was able to gain the confidence in my work with your encouragement. I felt supported when I was struggling with my work. I also felt grateful for you to recommend books to explore regarding the issue that I’m bringing in. Thank you for your time in the supervision again Lisa.'
‘Lisa’s support was superb. The 12 sessions were the equivalent of 24 years worth of consultant appointments! This concise, focused and timely provision of support enabled me to take ownership of my own mental – and by direct consequence, physical – health and gave me back the ability to function and manage my everyday life, not only during the 12 weeks but on a far longer-term basis too. It’s about personal empowerment and Lisa offered real world conversations that lead to real world solutions.’
‘During an incredibly challenging 2020, my counsellor, Lisa, was instrumental in helping me through a very difficult period. Our weekly chats helped me through a wide range of painful issues relating both to my HIV and to other emotional problems. It's still an enormously life-changing thing to be diagnosed HIV+ and I've felt very lonely on many occasions. The expert counselling I received has played a major part in seeing me through some of the hardest times.’