Why Supervision is Essential

Why is it essential to continue supervision after you have obtained your credentials? 

Supervision is not merely for credentialing. We believe that you should engage in supervision throughout your career. In the early stages, you will likely require more supervision than later on. You may need supervision at various times, especially if you are looking to enhance your skills or pursue specialized training. For instance, if you are currently providing couples therapy and wish to develop your skills in sex therapy to better help your clients.

We all have blind spots 

We all have blind spots, and having supervision ensures that we are doing good, effective, and ethical work. We all inadvertently do things in sessions that could impact our work. It’s just like driving; we all pick up bad habits. A supervisor can help keep us effective in our work. 

 

It is one of the best forms of marketing 

Supervision indicates to your client that you are not alone in supporting them; someone else is also ensuring that you perform effectively. Occasionally, supervisors are willing to make referrals, and other colleagues have confidence in your work because they understand that your work is being reviewed, and you are committed to providing the best quality of care.   

Difference between supervision and peer consultation 

In supervision, your supervisor will likely challenge you, provide suggestions, urge you to dig deeper into your motives regarding your work, highlight your blind spots, and act as a gatekeeper to your work. In contrast, during peer consultation, your colleague might feel uncomfortable mentioning something that affects your work, and they may not ask curious questions, such as, “Why did you choose that intervention?” They might kindly say, “This is how I do it and what works.” While this is helpful and provides tools for your toolbox, it may not challenge you. The supervisor will address countertransference issues and assist you in processing them, whereas a peer likely would not. Additionally, during supervision, you can record your sessions to maximize their effectiveness.

Supervision is a business expense 

In private practice, we have many expenses, and while they can be a line item in your budget, don’t view them as costs, but rather as investments. Many therapists don’t hesitate to spend thousands of dollars on certification; however, supervision is also a form of training. It will only enhance your skill set. You don’t need supervision every week, but it can be beneficial once a month. Later in your career, you may manage with it once every quarter or when facing a particularly challenging case.    

How to interview and find the best fit 

Seek out someone with expertise and training in your area of practice. Inquire about how many years of experience they have in their role. A new supervisor doesn't necessarily mean they are ineffective or inexperienced. Reflect on their years of practice in the field. Additionally, during the interview, pay attention to your intuition. Do you feel safe with the supervisor? Articulate your needs during supervision; for instance, I am receptive to feedback in a gentle, constructive manner. Many therapists enter the profession with wounds and issues from their family of origin that may emerge during supervision. Please ask your supervisor to support you in a way that facilitates your learning and growth.   

Conclusion

Supervision acts as the safety valve for your private practice. Most of us working in private practice find ourselves in isolation, making it easy to get lost in our own thoughts. Supervision enables you to identify issues in your clinical work before they can negatively impact your practice and reputation. After all, as therapists, our reputation plays a significant role in the success of our practice. Consider it as insurance for your practice.