Supervision

 

For a long time I have appreciated the help and support given to me by acupuncture, physical movement and psychotherapy, and since qualifying as an acupuncturist from CICM in 1999 I’ve added supervision.  I believe the synergy of talking and sharing aspects of our work/life in supervision can inform, inspire, refresh and satisfy the professional needs of those present.  Supervision is there to help us develop and flourish through the ebb and flow of work and life.

In 2014 I completed the one-year Supervision and Mentoring training with Isobel Cosgrove and Sally Blades, and since then I have offered individual and group supervision/mentoring to acupuncturists and complementary therapists.

In supervision sessions for individuals or groups, I aim to provide a prioritised time and a safe, confidential, supportive and synergistic space in which to reflect on, discuss and learn from our interactions with patients and colleagues, to consider and clarify our needs and skills as a practitioner, to identify what is working well and what needs changing, and to plan for the development / management / closure of our practice.

The issues, skills and questions that may arise include –

  • Contracts, boundaries, money
  • Roles, professional relationships, ethics
  • Listening, communicating
  • Emotional responses
  • Time-management, burn out
  • Clinical and diagnostic

The supervisor / group is there to hold the space while the supervisee talks / works through their individual issue.  The supervisor / group support the process by asking open, clarifying questions and reflecting back what’s been heard to help uncover blind spots and offer different perspectives, so that the supervisee can find understanding / solutions. Where necessary the supervisor / group may also share knowledge, experience and guidance.

Through supervision we develop our ability to self-supervise and this allows the supervision/mentoring sessions to develop and progress with us.

It’s helpful to keep a self-reflective record of your work/practice, say a sentence or two each day, for (recurrent) issues to be brought to supervision.

All supervision work is confidential.