Rethinking supervision

Our Co-Founder, Aisha Gordon ̃- Hiles offers five ways

to expand our horizons professionally.

Clinical supervision is the cornerstone of ethical practice. It offers invaluable guidance, accountability and a safe space for reflection. But like any cornerstone, it requires periodic examination to ensure it’s still

supporting the structure it was designed to uphold. When was the last time you paused to ask yourself – or your supervisor – whether you’re making the most of your supervisory relationship?

The therapy profession has transformed dramatically in recent decades, pushing practitioners to navigate an increasingly complex and nuanced world. As awareness grows around essential aspects of the human experience – such as culture, neurodiversity, systemic inequities, gender and other areas of intersectionality – counsellors are being called to rethink their understanding of their clients’ unique identities, backgrounds and lived experiences.

At the same time, the spotlight on practitioner wellbeing has intensified. Counsellors, particularly those in private practice, work mostly in isolation, grappling with the emotional demands of the work that can lead to burnout if left unsupported. Moreover, the rise of online platforms has broadened the scope of

private practice, granting access to a wider range of client presentations and, with it, heightening the expectations of supervisors.

Traditionally, supervision has offered oversight and guidance. But as the profession has evolved, the supervision model hasn’t seemed to adapt along with it, and consequently may not be fully addressing the diverse and growing needs of clients and practitioners. And so the question is: is it reasonable – or fair – to expect one supervisor to have expertise in every area we require to support us fully in our increasingly varied client caseload?

Put simply, in any other relationship, few would argue that we should meet every single emotional, intellectual and social need for each other. Instead, we’d encourage expanding the support network – nurturing relationships with family, friends and community to create a fuller, more balanced foundation.

Shouldn’t clinical supervision work the same way? After all, supervision is a relationship at its core. Perhaps it’s time to move beyond the idea of a single supervisor as the sole source of support and expertise. Instead, by embracing a more expansive, collaborative approach to supervision, we can better reflect the richness and diversity of the counselling profession itself.

So what can we do?

1. Multiple supervisors

   Traditionally many practitioners work with a single supervisor throughout their career. This relationship can provide consistency, safety and familiarity – all vital qualities. However, it can also bring about complacency, and in some instances cause our clinical work to become stagnant.

   
   

   Expanding your supervisory network allows you to tap into different areas of expertise. You might choose to work regularly with a second supervisor who has specialist knowledge in a particular field, or engage in one-off consultations with supervisors whose backgrounds differ from your primary supervisor. This isn’t about dismissing or replacing the traditional model of supervision. I’ve worked with the same supervisor for many years, and this relationship continues to provide a solid and reliable foundation for my therapeutic work. I know this holds true for countless others as well. I have also had one-off consultations with others, which has only served to enhance my clinical practice. What this is about is ensuring counsellors have a broader base of

   support that scaffolds the increasingly multifaceted nature of client presentations and the developmental, ethical and practical needs we as counsellors face along the way.

2. Peer supervision

   Peer supervision is a valuable resource that I’ve utilised in the past. Liaising with peers is a common practice in the counselling profession. Counsellors, both locally and further afield, often participate in peer supervision sessions to complement their core supervisory relationships. These

   sessions may be one-off or held regularly, often in an ad hoc one-to- one format but occasionally in groups.

   
   

   The decision to expand supervision through peer engagement often comes down to financial considerations, as it provides an affordable way to access diverse perspectives without significantly increasing the cost of running a practice. However, peer supervision is often

   carried out among counsellors at similar levels of experience, typically without formal supervision qualifications. While this can provide some benefit to practice, its impact is naturally limited. That said, when conducted in groups, the group dynamic can be incredibly effective in combatting feelings of isolation and burnout, and addressing difference and diversity –

   aspects that are common in our work.

3. Facilitated group supervision

   While group supervision is a staple during counsellor training, it becomes far less common for qualified practitioners. The reasons for this shift are unclear but worth exploring. The potential of group supervision to enrich practice cannot be overstated. From my own experience facilitating supervision groups, I’ve witnessed first-hand how powerful this format can be.

   
   

   For example, a practitioner with extensive experience shared how being in a group with others newer to the profession reminded them of the basics they had lost sight of. Another reflected on how attending supervision alongside practitioners undertaking specialist training helped them to fill gaps in their client formulations that weren’t covered their core training.

   
   

   One counsellor noted that having to consciously choose a supervision group based on the supervisors’ areas of expertise encouraged them to pay closer attention to the

   nuances in their clients’ needs. Others found that discussing ethical dilemmas in a group setting allowed them to see their challenges through a fresh lens, thanks to the diversity of thought and

   experience in the room.

   
   

   An additional benefit includes reducing the cost of supervision while not compromising on quality, by only working alongside practitioners with similar levels of experience and no formal

   supervision training.

4. New approaches

   My aim here is to show what new supervision choices may be available, and to encourage you to reflect and consider opening the door to new possibilities. In my own practice I’ve explored these ideas by creating a membership for therapists that builds on the strengths of traditional supervision while expanding its scope. This approach allows practitioners to benefit from the expertise of multiple supervisors with diverse specialisms, all within a supportive group setting.

   
   

   For instance, a practitioner working with survivors of sexual trauma might gain valuable insights from a supervisor specialising in trauma, another with expertise in cultural humility, and yet another focusing on psychosexual presentations – all in one space.

   
   

   This way of working not only broadens professional perspectives but also helps combat burnout and enhances overall wellbeing. Do I believe this is the only way? Absolutely not. However, this suggestion might support you to reflect on your clinical, personal and professional experience to date.

   
   

   How could you use your experience to evolve supervision to better serve you and your clients?

5. Embrace innovation

   Despite its clear advantages, embracing new approaches to supervision models is not without challenges. Familiarity with established systems can make it difficult to explore new approaches, while time and financial constraints may discourage practitioners from pursuing additional or alternative supervision arrangements. For some, stepping out of a comfort zone to try something new can feel overwhelming. I know it felt this way for me. But a phrase I find helpful is: ‘Just because something feels challenging, doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do it.’ And reaching out for support is part of this. In my own attempts to expand my approach to supervision, BACP’s Ethics team was a fantastic source of support when I faced challenges around confidentiality, clinical

   responsibility and more.

   
   

   Positive change only stands to serve our profession for the better – however, I must stress that these changes must align with the ethical frameworks we adhere to. These frameworks can

   sometimes make it harder to engage with or consider innovation. But ethics are not meant to act as a barrier to the evolution of practice; rather, they serve as a scaffold, ensuring that all changes

   prioritise safety and the best interests of everyone involved. With this in mind, the question should always be: ‘How can we implement this change in an ethical way?’ rather than allowing ethics to stifle opportunities for growth.

A call to reflect

As counsellors we can be agents of change for our clients. Could we bring that same spirit to our own professional growth? By reflecting on what we need from supervision and advocating for models and processes that reflect the diversity and dynamism of our work, we can contribute to a supervision landscape that truly supports the profession.

And so, as you consider your own supervision journey, here are some reflective questions to guide your thinking:

 What does my current supervision offer,

and what might it be missing?

 Am I curious enough to explore new

ways of receiving support?

 How could supervision evolve to better

serve me and my clients?

Supervision should be a space where you feel both challenged and supported – a space that fosters growth, learning and collaboration. If your current approach isn’t offering these elements it might be worth reflecting on what would, and bringing this into your supervisory discussions to ensure your needs are being met.

This isn’t just about improving our individual practice – it’s about strengthening the collective. Supervision, like counselling itself, thrives on growth and adaptation. By embracing its potential to evolve, we can ensure it remains relevant, accessible and enriching for ourselves and future generations

of counsellors.

This article was first published in Therapy Today, the journal of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy