Supervision is becoming more widely recognised as an essential aspect of a coach’s work. Whilst it is not yet deemed a prerequisite in certification and credentialling processes, there is a growing appreciation that supervision is an invaluable tool in the support of the coach, our clients (and their wider systems) and the coaching profession as a whole. In a profession where the coach is used to putting other people first, supervision provides an environment for reflection and restoration.
Why have coaching supervision?
Supervision has many benefits, both for us as coaches and for our clients. These can include:
- Focusing on best practice. In this you can ensure that you are providing a quality service to your clients. We are able to reflect on the work that you are doing, both present and past, in a safe supportive setting and seek to maintain and improve our standards.
- Providing a restorative space when we are working with strong emotions. This gives you the space to work out what belongs to you and what belongs to your clients.
- Exploring and resolving any ethical and/or safeguarding issues that may have presented themselves.
- Checking in with your boundaries; are they supporting you in your work?
- Reflecting on your competence levels for the work that is coming to you. Has a client brought an issue to you that you are concerned might be more appropriate for counselling?
- Looking at your development as a coach. Are there any gaps in your training and/or knowledge and how can we address these?
- Planning and taking action on all of these points.
What is my supervision approach?
I draw on various different psychologically grounded schools of thought within coaching supervision. These include (amongst others) the seven-eyed model of supervision, positive psychology, neuroscience, group dynamics, systemic, solution focused and psychodynamic approaches.
Whilst I work successfully with all of the above, my particular area of passion is in psychodynamics. The reason for this is I believe it is the great undiscovered approach. It does have a great deal to offer the field of coaching supervision. Although traditionally located in the arena of therapy, it can highlight areas of resistance and give us the tools to unlock the psychological and emotional changes needed to sustain meaningful development and progress. Particular themes that might come up in a psychodynamically grounded supervision session include transference, countertransference and defence mechanisms.
Whilst not every supervision session will be from the psychodynamic perspective, having a solid understanding of this will enable you, as a coach, to have a firm foundation to work with your clients in a forward-facing manner.
Why choose me as a supervisor?
I have over 20 years of supervision experience in Social Care and Mental Health services. I work with people at all stages of their careers; both enabling people to optimise the opportunities presented to them, and supporting people through incredibly challenging professional scenarios. I am practiced in working with people to find the best solutions wherever they are in their work.
My busy and varied coaching practice has been established for over 7 years. I have developed a solid understanding of what it means to coach, both in an organisational and a life coaching capacity. For me, as in coaching, good supervision starts with building a strong relationship – that of professional equals, working towards a shared goal.
My current supervision practice ranges from newly qualified coaches establishing their place in the coaching profession and navigating accreditation, through to experienced practitioners exploring their own coaching mastery.
Please contact me for further details or to book an appointment.