Emily Popham

Supervision details
I offer clinical supervision for qualified therapists, counselling trainees and mental health practitioners who are looking for a supportive, reflective and professionally grounded space to think about their work and continue developing as practitioners.

As a CBT therapist, qualified Gestalt therapist, clinical supervisor, lecturer and research supervisor in counselling and CBT, I bring together different therapeutic perspectives alongside clinical experience, evidence-based practice and academic knowledge.

My own training across different therapeutic approaches has shaped the way I think about supervision. I have a particular passion for working with therapists from different modalities and theoretical perspectives, and I believe that being curious about approaches beyond our own can lead to meaningful clinical and personal growth. Exploring different ways of understanding a client can deepen formulation, broaden our therapeutic thinking and help us develop greater flexibility and confidence in our work.

My supervision approach is collaborative, relational and tailored to your modality, experience and clinical context. I value the supervisory relationship and aim to create a space where you can be open about your client work, uncertainties, challenges and areas you are finding difficult, without fear of judgement.

I encourage curiosity and reflection, while also offering appropriate challenge when it is helpful. My aim is not to tell you what to do, but to help you think more deeply about your clinical work, consider different perspectives and develop your own confidence and trust in your clinical judgement.

Trauma and complex clinical work
I have particular clinical experience in trauma, anxiety, emotional regulation, abuse and complex relational difficulties. This informs my supervision when practitioners are working with clients experiencing trauma-related difficulties, emotional dysregulation, complex relationships or other challenging presentations.

We can explore formulation, therapeutic relationships, boundaries, risk, safeguarding and ethical decision-making, while also considering the emotional impact that complex clinical work can have on you as a practitioner.

I believe good supervision should make space for both the client and the therapist. Your wellbeing matters, particularly when working with trauma and emotionally demanding clinical work.

Reflective and ethical practice
I place strong emphasis on ethical practice, risk management, professional boundaries and reflective practice, while keeping both client safety and practitioner wellbeing in view.

I aim to provide a space where difficult conversations can happen openly. Together, we can explore what is happening, consider different perspectives, think about the evidence and professional standards, and work towards thoughtful clinical decisions.

Alongside my clinical work, I am a lecturer and research supervisor in counselling and CBT, which allows me to bring current theory, research and evidence-based practice into supervision.

CBT and integrative supervision
I have a particular interest in CBT supervision, including formulation, assessment, intervention planning, therapeutic processes and integrating CBT principles within broader therapeutic approaches.

My Gestalt training also brings a relational and experiential perspective to my supervision. I enjoy exploring what is happening not only in the client's presentation and formulation, but also within the therapeutic relationship and the here-and-now.

I particularly enjoy supervising therapists who are interested in developing their practice through integrative thinking. You do not need to work in CBT or Gestalt for us to draw on these perspectives. I supervise practitioners from a range of modalities and believe that bringing different theoretical lenses into supervision can create new possibilities for understanding clients and developing our therapeutic work.

Supporting your professional development
My aim is to support you in becoming a reflective, confident and sustainable practitioner, developing not only your clinical skills but also your professional identity and trust in your own judgement.

I see supervision as a space for genuine professional growth. Sometimes that growth comes from strengthening a particular clinical skill; at other times it comes from questioning an assumption, seeing a client differently, or becoming more aware of what we bring to the therapeutic relationship ourselves.

Whether you are a trainee developing your foundations, an experienced therapist wanting space to reflect on your practice, or a practitioner navigating complex clinical work, supervision can be tailored to where you are in your professional journey.

Clinical supervision is available online across the UK. If you are looking for a supervisor who offers a warm, collaborative and thoughtful space to reflect, learn and grow, please get in touch via Counselling Directory or my website to discuss whether we might be a good fit.