Paul West

All counsellors and psychotherapists are required by their accrediting bodies to consult and actively reflect upon their clinical work with an experienced supervisor on a regular basis. This relationship gives an opportunity for an open discussion of any difficulties the therapist is facing, promotes professional development and ensures that the therapist is working in line with the law and ethically in the best interests of their clients.

I am a CPCAB L6 trained supervisor and previous sessions have included clinical therapists, along with other NHS helping professionals from a variety of agencies and theoretical orientations including person-centred, psychodynamic, integrative, gestalt, CBT and drama therapists.

I offer both individual and group supervision to therapists, both those in training and those who are qualified. I am a BACP member and supervise in accordance with the BACP's Ethical Framework.

I am a qualified ACTO practitioner and supervisor using the learning outcomes that are mapped to the BACP competences for telephone and e-counselling.

My supervisory model

I base my supervisory model on Hawkins and Shohet’s 7 eyed model meaning I actively hold in mind and consider 7 aspects of therapeutic work: the client; the therapeutic techniques used by the therapist; the relationship between client and therapist; the therapist’s process; the relationship between the therapist and supervisor; the supervisor’s process; the wider context (both organisational and societal).

I also use aspects of Page and Wosket’s cyclical model in that I seek a clear supervisory contract, to structure each session with a mutually agreed focus, and will explicitly ask supervisees how reflection in supervision will be applied in the counselling room.