Dawn Aitchison

I am a qualified clinical supervisor having completed post-qualifying training in person-centred creative supervision with PTUK.  I have also completed group supervision training with TIS UK.

I see supervision as a shared endeavour. I offer a psychologically safe space to explore the world of your clients and the work you are undertaking together.  I aim for us to be as reflective and curious as possible in order for you to be able to give the best possible support to your clients. I am passionate about the supervisory relationship and the essential part it has played in my development as a counsellor.  I have been fortunate enough to have enjoyed some fantastic supervisory relationships which I believe were successful because they contained the following ingredients:

• I could be fully myself in the relationship
• There was a feeling of mutual trust, connection and openness to one another
• I was able to express myself and how I work using a variety of non verbal as well as verbal forms of expression and feel received
• My supervisor helped me grow in self-confidence and in understanding myself and the therapeutic process
• We shared an enjoyment and passion for learning which re-energised and inspired me
• I felt confident in my supervisor’s ability to challenge me, work ethically, and be available for me.

I hope I am able to offer the same qualities to my supervisees. If you are interested, I'd be happy to arrange to meet so that we can discuss the details and decide if we feel we would like to work together. I charge £50 for an hour and £70 for 90 minutes supervision.

Testimonials:

Children and families worker and counsellor in private practice

"As a counsellor I have had the pleasure to work with Dawn in many capacities, she has supported me as a student, personal therapist and now a supervisor. Through Dawn’s shared professional knowledge, guidance, resources and general wisdom she has enhanced my own practice. She has a unique ability to spark creativity and encourage me to think outside the box in my practice, which has been invaluable. 

Dawn is a highly experienced, warm, creative and grounded supervisor. I thoroughly enjoy working with her as she can expertly support my clinical work as well as my ongoing development as a therapist. She is highly perceptive and incredibly illuminating; particularly responsive towards any creative work shared, bringing new insights and dimensions into the nature of the therapeutic work. Her compassionate and supportive approach has created a safe space for me to explore my own journey and practice. Thank you, Dawn!

​Play Therapist in Private Practice 

" Dawn has been my clinical supervisor for several years now. I work in primary and secondary schools as well as private practice so the children’s ages range from 5 to 18 making good supervision essential. I find Dawn has a combination of strong clinical expertise, excellent communication skills and a supportive, ethical approach. Our sessions are built on respect and trust and the environment feels safe and supportive which enables me to share my challenges and successes. Dawn is the queen of creativity and many, many times she has encouraged me to use creative ways to process what I think or feel in order to gain insight  and develop my work. In the beginning, and even now occasionally, when I can’t find the words to explain or process something, I am inspired and motivated having been encouraged to draw/use/touch  something that has opened up my thinking in a way that talking couldn’t have achieved. I often describe this as being like peeling back the layers of an onion and when this is done alongside a supervisor with deep knowledge and experience, areas of growth are created and identified. The whole process builds on my knowledge, skills and confidence to be the best practitioner I can be so, it goes full circle back to the children I work with. "

Personal and Professional Development Group - Using Creative Arts in Therapy

This is a group for student and newly qualified counsellors who are interested in incorporating creative media in their practice. The sessions will enable you to experience using a variety of materials in your own self development with a supportive group of like-minded professionals so that you are then able to safely offer these resources to your clients. I charge £40 for a 2 hour, monthly workshop. All materials are provided. Limited space available as we work in small groups of 4 max.

" It is important to have experienced personally that which you wish to adopt professionally. When you have experienced this process to be healing for yourself, you are ready to take the next step: using the arts to aid others in expressing themselves." 

Natalie Rogers, The Creative Connection: Expressive Arts as Healing

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