What is Clinical Supervision?

Clinical supervision has been an integral part of Psychoanalysis from the time of Sigmund Freud, when the issues of Transference and Countertransference became seen as potentially challenging for practitioners.

In the contemporary practice of Counselling and Psychotherapy, Clinical Supervision has a broader function than that of only examining the relationship between the practitioner and the client. 

Its remit is now concerned with developing the supervisee’s knowledge base, informing and safeguarding best clinical practice and being concerned for the practitioner’s well-being.

However, despite the value of Clinical Supervision been widely acknowledged by practitioners, its purpose is still sometimes questioned or misunderstood and the methods of delivery can vary greatly from one supervisor to another.

According to an article on Wikipedia Clinical Supervision is used in counselling, psychotherapy, and other mental health disciplines as well as many other professions engaged in working with people. It consists of the practitioner meeting regularly with another professional, not necessarily more senior, but normally with training in the skills of supervision, to discuss casework and other professional issues in a structured way. 

This is often known as clinical or counselling supervision or consultation. The purpose is to assist the practitioner to learn from his or her experience and progress in expertise, as well as to ensure good service to the client or patient.

I wrote an early blog post called Who is clinical Supervision For? that has a bit more to say on the subject. If you missed it the first time around CLICK HERE to read it now.