Counseling Supervision

By: Dr. Suzanne LaCombe, December 21, 2008.
Updated: January 31, 2010.
Reviewed by: Dr. Carole Gaato

So, your counselor is receiving supervision? Cause for concern? (Hint: probably not!)

Outsiders, non-therapists and the like, may be initially confused about the notion of supervision. In the workplace, supervision is often associated with jobs in beginner positions.

One cannot imagine for instance, a manager being "supervised".  And, if a manager is being "supervised" it is often because workplace production has suffered in some fashion.

However, for a therapist, supervision is about increasing one's competence. It entails sitting down with another more experienced--hopefully wiser--psychotherapist to discuss clients' issues. It's a collaborative process wherein the therapist brings her questions, comments and even possible countertransference concerns for working through.

Confidentiality and Supervision

It's true that aspects of your problem may be discussed with your therapist's supervisor. However, identifying details (first name, profession etc.) are disguised.

It's understanding the dynamics and making therapy more effective that's the focus of the supervision. Having two minds digest the details of your problem provides insights that may have been missed without that collaboration.

There are also times when a therapist needs to present more detailed (and disguised) information about you. In this instance, it is customary that your  therapist receives your informed consent before doing so. In other words, you have a right to decline and if you agree to the sharing of personal information, you will likely benefit from your therapist's consultation.

In other words, your back-up has back-up!

Just so you know, it's been my experience that my clients are appreciative when I am getting a consult on their behalf.

By the way, there is no extra fee to you for this service. Therapists typically cover these costs as part of their practice overhead.

Supervision for a lifetime

Good supervision is often sought after, especially by newbie counselors, because it's one of the best ways for deepening one's knowledge about the therapeutic process. Even seasoned therapists seek supervision when they encounter an issue that they have little experience treating.

Many feel that supervision's main role is in helping the therapist become more conscious of countertransference reactions and patterns. These implicit patterns arise naturally in connection with clients and serve as important sources of information. Indeed, for this very reason, on-going supervision is strongly encouraged by licensing or regulatory bodies.

As such, supervision for a conscientious counselor never really stops. As long as a therapist desires to grow personally, he or she will seek it out.

Not all therapists engage in this practice, however. Yet, good therapists do so on an on-going basis either through individual supervision or with colleagues.

One of the greatest challenges for any therapist is when a client presents with a problem that he or she has not fully resolved personally (a.k.a countertransference). This situation confronts a counselor in ways that other professions only come close to.

There is no simple formula for working with all clients or all presenting problems. As therapists, we are continually stretched by our own limitations and strengths in providing therapy.

My Personal Musings

As a therapist I certainly continue to be challenged by my clients. That's just life…we're all just bumping up against one another!

I also recognize that I can easily be lulled into habit patterns with my clients--I move into procedure! (Neuroscience explains that the brain is predisposed to work this way--we're "energy-efficient organisms".) So, supervision helps keep me fresh in my therapeutic approach and authentic in the way I interact with each person I work with.

Good supervision recognizes this and helps me grow as a therapist and as a caring human being. They go hand in hand as far as I am concerned.

Notes

If your counselor is completing his or her internship (which is a mandatory requirement for a masters or doctorate degree), there's a good chance your therapist is bringing up your concerns with his or her supervisor (and you will be fully informed of this fact).

Supervision is also mandatory as part of educational requirements for licensing or registration in a particular locale (i.e. a province or state). After licensure, therapists remain ethically bound to seek supervision any time expertise falls short.

Supervision can also be required if a therapist has been found guilty (by their board of registration or licensing) of an ethical issue. In this case, supervision is a means for the therapist to fill in gaps in their knowledge and experience.

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