Supervision is a formal arrangement where a therapist sits down with another more experienced psychotherapist, in both therapy and supervision, to discuss a clients’ issues. It entails a collaborative process where the therapist brings his/her questions, comments, and concerns for working through.
In agreement with professional requirements, all psychotherapist, counselors, supervisors, and trainers are required to have regular and ongoing consultative or formal supervision for their work. This is because therapy makes a considerable demand upon a therapist and a regular and ongoing supervision is a necessary resource. Therefore, the purpose of supervision would be;
- To support the therapist
- To maximize the effectiveness of a therapeutic relationship
- To monitor and safeguard the interest of the client
- To develop a highly reflective practitioner
- To maintain ethical standards
Supervision also reflects the ethical professional development and more so the personal growth of the counselor. It contributes to an ongoing professionalism by encouraging the counselor in the process of self-awareness while at the same time facilitating self-learning. It improves the overall standards of coaching, mentoring and psychotherapy.
How supervision helps the client/patient
Although supervision is primarily concerned with helping counselors/therapist, it has an added benefit if helping their the clients/patients as well.
Protects clients
It protects the client by involving a third party in the counsellor-client sessions. The involvement of a third party reduces the risk of a serious inaccuracy. It also helps the counselor being supervised to reflect on their behavior, feelings, thoughts and the general approach with their client.
Improves the counselors value
The opportunity of a counselor to reflect on their relationship with the client, as well as the insights they gain from another therapist, improves the value of services they are providing to their clients. They learn how to listen to feedback from clients and patients and also how to respond to it.