Psychosynthesis Supervision
Supervision is vital when you work with individuals,
families or groups in whatever discipline. We offer supervision for psychotherapists,
counsellors, health and education professionals, social workers, leaders
and managers, in fact anyone who needs this level of close supervision.
Our aim is to help and encourage you in your work with others and to support
you and those you work with in a heartful manner, to attend to meaning and
the unfoldment of process. Supervision is not about being right or wrong,
it is a shared process of inquiry, reflection and learning. It may be challenging
as well as supportive, but it is always held with care and understanding.
Supervision is crucial in supporting, holding and modelling the client-guide
relationship, being centred on our own heart values and at the same time
able to support and honour the values of others.
We can offer supervision with one of our approved psychosynthesis practitioners and specialise
in consultation specifically geared to the needs of senior
practitioners and those already working as supervisors themselves.
Contact Will Parfitt to discuss individual face-to-face or phone/email supervision.
Further on Psychosynthesis Supervision
Psychosynthesis Avalon encourages supervisors to support those with whom they work in a soulful manner, to attend to meaning and the unfoldment of process. A major aspect of the supervisor's role is to allow the material of the supervisees clients to be felt within a setting where it can be reflected upon, learned from (and sometimes simply survived!) Core to supervision from a Psychosynthesis perspective involves trusting the process, safety, containment, and confidence building. Supervision may include:
discussing supervision and why is it needed;
exploring the dynamics of the supervisory relationship;
the skills of supervision from a transpersonal perspective;
managing an effective practice;
dilemmas arising in practice, including ethical and boundary issues;
developing a relationship with the inner supervisor;
recognising pathologies;
vetting clients without disempowerment, and referral issues;
parallel process and interactive feedback;
working with both positive and negative transference;
and so on, depending upon the supervisee’s needs and those of their clients.
The Inner Supervisor
The following exercise may be of assistance to those who cannot attend for supervision, at least as often as they might like, and to more experienced practitioners who recognise the importance of building a relationship with their 'inner supervisor'.
Relax and centre. Take time to let your body become comfortable, but remain alert.
Imagine you are standing at the edge of a circle. Build this circle as strongly as possible in your mind's eye.
Imagine you silently walk round the outside of the circle, and as you do so:
- reflect on what it means to you to be a good psychotherapist ... what makes therapy good for you ... what thoughts are associated with good psychotherapy ... what feelings .... what sensations ... what qualities do you associate with a psychotherapist;
- now project all of your responses to being a good psychotherapist into the circle, taking plenty of time to connect with doing this ...
- then imagine yourself slowly and consciously stepping into the circle, the territory of good psychotherapy, surrender to its influence and let yourself be filled up with all the qualities of a good therapist;
- feel the presence of your inner supervisor, appearing you in your imagination as a wise person whose eyes express great love for you, and who is always there to support you as you work;
- dialogue (verbally or non-verbally) with your inner supervisor, consider issues you are currently dealing with in your therapeutic work. Be honest about your aspirations, your concerns and your limitations as a therapist, and be willing to listen to any responses without fear of judgment;
- find a small or discrete gesture or movement that represents the essence of good therapy that you can unobtrusively do when confronted by difficulties in a session, that will immediately remind you of your inner guidance;
- after spending the time you need with your inner supervisor, distinctly close the circle and, if you keep a journal, write about your experience.
Remember this gesture or movement learned in the exercise, and experiment with it in your work. You may not, particularly after some practice, need to actively evoke a presence through a gesture or through calling upon your inner supervisor - he or she will be heard as an inner voice, or a direct 'knowing'.
