Growing Pains: Am I getting good clinical supervision?

Supervision is the gold standard for guiding counselors in their professional journey. A good supervisor has an everlasting positive impact on the counselor’s growth and how their clients respond to therapy. This is especially true for first-year counselors as they start in their jobs. In this blog, we will discuss some key ways in which you can assess if you are getting sound clinical supervision. Before setting up a supervision contract, be sure to enquire about your supervisor’s preferred style of supervision. It is important to know what you should expect from the supervisor, and if that meets your needs as a growing counselor. 

Supervision should entail measurable goals to ensure a path toward future skillsets of the counselors. Your supervision meetings should feel planned and well-structured. You should feel like you can talk to your supervisor about anything and not worry about being judged. This creates an environment of trust and openness. If you don't mind being open about your problems and don't worry about being judged, you are probably being supervised well. Feedback is essential to improve techniques and skills that you can use in therapy. You can be sure that your supervision is working if you always get feedback that is well-thought-out and helps you during times when you may feel stuck in sessions. 

Additionally, your supervisor should be able to foster teachable moments of self-reflection to increase awareness about personal styles of counseling. It is important to note that supervisory relationships are not hierarchical, and both the supervisor and supervisee must work collaboratively to reach said goals. While it is important to respect a supervisor’s vast experience and knowledge, they should also honor your journey in the field of counseling. This builds confidence and a niche for supervisees to develop. As a supervisee find themselves in ethical and moral dilemmas, a supervisor should help them learn the standards of practice, be aware of the ethical code of conduct while supervising, and have resources handy that encourage discussion of moral problems. The guidance you get from your supervisor should be tailored to your current level of experience and work goals. Whether you need help with specific skills, managing clients, or your job, it should be tailored to your needs. A key part of good supervision is personalized mentoring. 

Consistent supervision meetings ensure commitment on the part of the supervisor and respect for the supervisee’s time. Your supervisor should be committed to sticking to a regular, timely meeting and providing clear instructions on the contract's emergency support policies. In the end, the results of your client’s progress can show how well your supervision worked. With good supervision, your skills and efficiency as a counselor should improve, which will help your clients do better. If you see changes in the growth of your clients and feel more confident and skilled in your work, that means that your supervision is working.