Sandra McKeever

I offer over twenty years of experience in the counselling and psychotherapy profession, having worked not only as a counsellor, psychotherapist and supervisor but as a counselling trainer and tutor.  I offer supervision to therapists who work primarily from a humanistic/integrative model. With my considerable experience across different areas of the profession I am able to bring understanding of the many issues that face our profession and the individuals who work within it. I have experience of working with a wide range of clients and supervisees and have worked as a therapist in many different settings, including a GP practice, an agency working with eating disorders and a student counselling service in Further Education, along with private practice. I have supervised groups of students during their training and worked with individual supervisees in my private practice for over 15years. My time working in professional standards at the BACP, along with my experience drawing up professional qualifications, means I have an in depth understanding of the requirements of the profession. 

Although my focus is on supporting the supervisee to work safely and ethically with their clients, I also see my role as supporting supervisees to achieve their own potential within the profession. To do this, I recognise the importance of the supervisory relationship and offer a safe, nurturing, non-judgmental space, allowing supervisees to be open and honest in all the material they bring to these sessions.  Whilst our work with clients can be deeply rewarding, at times it can be challenging, and the risks of burnout considerable - knowing we have the support we need is therefore essential. 

The supervisory model I base most of my work on is the Hawkins and Shohet Seven Eyed model of Supervision, but I also draw on the Inskipp/Procter model that focuses on the 'Normative, Formative, Restorative' functions of supervision. These together allow a holistic overview of the dynamics in supervision, whilst working in the best interests of both client and therapist. I have trained in supervision with Robin Shohet, attended the Fundamentals of Supervision training ran by CSTD in Bath, and also trained in supervision with Derby University. 

In my own practice, I work with person-centred theory at the core of my practice, but also work integratively, primarily within the humanistic field, and with an excellent understanding of the transpersonal. I have a background in alternative spirituality and astrology and a life long interest in the connection between body, mind and spirit. I have explored alternative approaches to mental health, particularly those approaches of indigenous cultures.

I have considerable experience of private practice, having ran my own practice for almost twenty years, and I have worked as a counselling trainer delivering all aspects of training (including how to set up private practice) from basic introductory counselling skills, through to Foundation Degree Level. Within this capacity, I have delivered all aspects of training including running personal development groups and supervision groups. I have also worked for one of the principal awarding bodies, as qualification lead and as an assessor on the qualifying practitioner level qualification, and work in professional standards at the BACP.

I have extensive CPD including a post qualifying training in Somatic therapy for PTSD and trauma with Babette Rothschild, and have attended further training with Dr Janine Fisher and Christiane Sanderson, in understanding domestic abuse, working with survivors of child sexual abuse, traumatic attachment, borderline personality disorder and structured disassociation, working with survivors of narcissistic abuse and working with boarding school survivors. I also trained with CRUSE Bereavement Care. I attend conferences, read widely and continue to write and research. I have written articles and I am one of the authors of a training manual for counselling students, 'A Student's Guide to Therapeutic Counselling' published by Sage. 

If you would like to meet with me, I can offer a one hour session, free of charge. It is an introductory space for both of us to explore what it is you want and need from supervision, and for me to evaluate whether I can meet those requirements, and that I am 'good fit' for you and your practice at this time. As with therapy, the relationship is the key to us successfully working together, and both of us need to feel that potential is there.

Should we decide we would like to work together I will take some details and I will also talk through the contract. However, there is no requirement to make a decision immediately, although I cannot keep a place open for more than one week. 

I see my role as a supervisor as assisting therapists in developing their particular skills and abilities in a safe and ethical way, allowing them to offer the best of themselves to their clients. Supervision is a space in which we, as therapists, need to be able to freely off load, explore our own and our clients' experiences in a safe, non judgemental space, and to be offered appropriate guidance and support when needed. Supervision is also about monitoring limits of proficiency and monitoring whether we are going beyond our skills and understanding, or possibly not recognising that we are capable of more. 

I aim to bring all of my experience in the profession to these sessions, to share the knowledge and understanding I have, to help my supervisees develop into strong, competent and ethical therapists and ultimately to be a place of support in what at times can be challenging and difficult, but always rewarding, work.

Please note I do not supervise work with children and young people. I only offer supervision to those therapists who work primarily face to face/in the room. 

Once the supervisory relationship is well established, where appropriate and the supervisee lives over 50 miles away, I would be happy to discuss online working. 

Mentoring and private tutoring are also available.