David Goodlad MA FRSPH Senior Therapist

I recieved my training in supervision from John Harris at the Manchester Gestalt centre.

I believe the supervisory process to be a dynamic and interactive exchange.

I have 14 years supervisory experience of Counsellors.

I have written and implemented numerous supervisory manuals.

I utilise and practice the cyclical model of supervision, providing training in supervision for hospital and service staff that have included medical officers, doctors, clinical psychologists (PhD level), psychologists, nurses, social workers, psychotherapists and counsellors.

The cyclical model encompasses the five phases of Contract, Focus, Space, Bridge and Review.

All counsellors supervised by me receive and develop their own personalised supervisory manual to assist and evolve their own understanding of the the supervisory process. This is achieved within a supportive and educative frame.

The followng helped me understand my responsibilites toward the superivosry process in my early days:

Supervision Criteria

The supervisor ensures that the supervisor and supervisee make explicit their expectations and requirements of the supervisory relationship and their roles in that relationship

Conflicts in that supervisory relationship are identified and addressed as they emerge

Supervisees are encouraged to identify their practice issues and areas for improvement

Supervisee's are facilitated in identifying their development needs and opportunities through regularly reviewing the process and use made of supervision

Issues inappropriate to supervision are accurately identified and managed, these might be related to personal development or trainng 

The process and continued usefulness of supervision is regularly evaluated and appropriate adjustments made

Supervisors and supervisee's ensure that they work within the limits of their competence

The agenda for the supervision session is agreed at the beginning of each session 

The supervisee’s management of casework is reviewed and monitored to ensure effectiveness and competence

Good practices is recognised and bad practice is constructively explored and ways of remedying it are clearly identified and monitored

Supervision endings are planned and structured and unresolved issues are identified and further work discussed if appropriate

Recording of notes happens in a way that best serves the interests of the client