Counselling Supervision

Counselling supervision is a key component when it comes to providing effective mental health services.  While therapists are trained professionals they, like anyone else, are human and, therefore, might be subject to making certain errors.  An oversight or improper assessment of a situation does not mean that a therapist is any less qualified.  Sometimes, being so close to a situation clouds our vision and, for this reason, it is helpful to have another professional to consult with in regards to their clients or patients.  This also serves to alleviate any problems that the therapist might be having when it comes to dealing with or processing a certain client’s situation.  Especially in the mental health field, therapists are constantly dealing with many difficult scenarios.  Therefore, in order to best serve the client, it is important that they have a place to work out their issues, whether they are personal or they have to do with a client-therapist interaction.

Although not every client realizes it, counselling supervision is very common.  In fact, if a therapist is not seeking out the advisement or support of another mental health professional, it might be a sign that you are not getting the best care possible.  Although some patients may feel uncomfortable knowing that their personal information might be discussed with someone else, it is ultimately in the client’s best interest as it makes sure that nothing is being overlooked or treated incorrectly.

Counselling supervision is essentially like having a built-in second opinion at no extra charge.  The client is actually getting advisement from two professionals, instead of just one.  However, there need not be a cause for concern over privacy or confidentiality.  A therapist speaking with a counselling supervisor, while disclosing certain aspects of a patient’s situation, will never use identifying details.  Also, just as is the case in any client-therapist relationship, the supervisor is also held to a strict degree of confidentiality.  This ensures that any personal details will be kept between the therapist and his/her supervisor.

At first, the idea of having a supervisor may be uncomfortable for either the therapist or the patient.  However, it serves as not only an important safeguard, but also as a means to increase the level of care being provided.  It helps the therapist by giving them another professional with which to confer, as well as provide a place for them to work through any residual problems they may be having.  Alternately, counselling supervision helps to serve the client by giving their mental health provider a more comprehensive insight into their situation.

Tom Smith common name, uncommon therapy