SAGE Supervision
The experience of supervision in this practice is supportive in nature, where the supervisee is able to confidentially reflect on work and their professional role. There is room in supervision for safe, yet brave conversations where supervisees can experience and express their own realisations, insight and perspective.
Purpose of Supervision
SAGE supervision practice honours the importance of a therapeutic alliance and professional relationship, to achieve rich learning. The effective relationship is the means by which learning can be found. This philosophy of learning in supervision is expressed aptly by Michael Carol, “In every supervision room, there ought to be two learning people”. Learning needs to be at the heart of the supervision experience and each of the ideas discussed here support this purpose.
In addition to learning, Bernard and Rodney (2004) suggest that there are two main purposes of supervision. Firstly, to foster the supervisee’s professional development, which is both a supportive and educational process, and secondly to ensure client welfare.
This is the work of supervision as described by Inskipp & Proctor (2001); an alliance, between two professionals, where supervisees offer and account of their work, reflect on it, receive feedback and receive guidance as appropriate.
Michael Carroll (2007) elaborates on the work of supervision by identifying seven tasks. They are, creating a learning relationship, teaching, counselling, monitoring professional/ethical issues, evaluation (formal or informal), consultation (counselling supervision) and administration. He suggests that these tasks tend to be common elements in all approaches and will be seen in varying degrees depending on the supervisor.
To carry out these tasks there needs to be a supervisory relationship where there is a shared understanding of outcomes and a strong bond of mutual trust and respect. Research literature has found that therapeutic effectiveness is related to the presence of a therapeutic alliance in supervision and counselling where there is collaboration and shared goals (Cooper 2008). Interestingly the Rogerian core principles of empathy, authenticity and unconditional positive regard are echoed in the research as valuable conditions in the supervision and counselling relationship (Josefowitz & Myran 2005), (Bozarth 2002).
These Rogerian conditions are often evidenced in the supervisors ability to truly listen. Listening is key to building this professional relationship. It’s the idea of putting aside self-interest to deliberately listen to another, and to come to terms with uncertainty in not knowing, and to be ready for something new to emerge. Smythe, Macculloch and Charmley (2009) state that ‘listening involves grounding in humility and a daring to be vulnerable. It is responding in the moment, and in the moment, trusting that within the supervision, rich but frail wisdom will come.’
Features of Supervision
This supervision ought to include the following features.
- Identification and management of transference, vicarious trauma and counsellor responses to client concerns.
- Sessions are collaborative, facilitative and empowering for the supervisee.
- Supervision is a supportive and trusting space where self-disclosure is respected and where emotions are acknowledged.
- Supervisees are encouraged to explore and process their own thoughts and insights, allowing for creative solutions and new understanding.
- Supervisee values and strengths are recognised and validated.
- There are opportunities for clear and constructive feedback.
- The supervisory relationship is openly discussed and addressed.
- Professional and personal boundaries are adhered to and there is recognition and management of dual roles.
- Openness and honesty within the supervisory relationship and the work undertaken by the supervisee.
Approach to Supervision
This supervision is informed by an Integrative Counselling approach which includes, Person Centred, Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Solution Focused Therapy.
Experience and Qualifications
Robert’s formal education includes, Masters Degree in Counselling (Social Science), University of South Australia (2004) and Bachelor of Education Visual Art, SACAE (1984).
An early career in senior high school education teaching Visual Art and Psychology where the professional focus was on adolescent education, wellbeing and counselling. Concurrently involved with community organisations providing counselling support, leadership and training for young married and their families. More recently the focus has shifted to counselling, supervision and adult education with experience in adult counselling and as a school counsellor with adolescents and their families for a decade. Robert has extensive experience in lecturing student counsellors at TAFE SA and the Australian College of Applied Psychology and has work with the University of Adelaide as a session lecturer and clinical supervisor.
Robert’s last position as a lecturer and Topic Coordinator was at Flinders University, teaching Interpersonal and Interprofessional Communication for the Optometry and Health Sciences departments.
Robert is a Clinical Member of PACFA and provides private practice counselling and clinical supervision as a PACFA Accredited Supervisor from the Adelaide Hills Woodside. Robert also works a as professional counsellor for Carers SA.
Ethics and Confidentiality
Professional counsellors, both Supervisor and Supervisee abide to a Code of Ethics, such as published by the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia. In particular, confidentiality and its limitations need to be practiced and communicated to clients and supervisees. Case presentations and personal material disclosed during supervision will be kept in confidence, although may be discussed by Robert in his own supervisory context.
Fees
Supervision sessions normally last 60 to 90 minutes.
Fees will be agreed upon between $100 – $150 per hour, depending on the circumstances of the client and paid on the day by cash, card or bank transfer. All facilities for electronic funds transfer are provided.
Appointments
Appointments can be arranged by contacting Robert directly via mobile, email or message left from Contacts in this website.