Supervision in Counselling
Raising the consciousness
for personal and professional change.
Lecture and a discussion
with Derek J. Lainsbury MRSH
The purpose
of this lecture will be to address some of the scholarly themes and concepts
involved in the experience and management of supervision. It will aim to
stimulate further dialogue and future discussion helping those who attend
to become aware of the personal and professional enrichment that occurs
as a result of this structured activity. When successfully implemented
professionals experience the liberating effects of supervision. They are
able to preserve, consolidate and pass on to their supervisee’s the fruits
of the liberation and raise their awareness from the unconscious into the
conscious. Creativity is expanded, capacity for insight and enlightenment
is enhanced and personal and professional identities are enriched. Supervision
serves as an organising force for all counsellors irrespective of their
theoretical model of work. The ultimate goal of this lecture will be to
promote positive mental health for counsellors and clients and consequently
raise the consciousness for the importance of supervision and overall health
of the nation.
The lecture will show the dynamic triangular relationship between the development
of personal awareness and self realisation and professional enhancement
and advancement advocating a facilitative model for supportive supervision.
It is emphasised that supervision is facilitative and supportive and should
not be seen as a tool to judge, criticise, condemn or discipline. What
will be discussed are the key concepts involved in the facilitative model
of supervision, namely, valuation, empathy, congruence and commitment.
It will look at the characteristic spirit of supportive supervision as
a shift from the old, primarily authoritarian approach to leadership and
supervision to a more co-participative and person valuing style which is
paramount to personal and professional enhancement of individuals and can
be applied where the appetite for authoritarian control is fading.
Fundamental to counselling is the relationship which practitioners develop
with individuals and groups. The therapeutic use of the “self” forms the
foundation upon which such therapeutic and healing relationships are built
and every counsellor should be given the opportunity to go through a self-discovery,
self-recovery and uncovery process. The facilitation that occurs within
the context of supervision is therefore designed to assist counsellors
in the formation of their personal and professional identities.
By raising the aspect of supervision into the consciousness of professionals
working as counsellors it gives permission to examine and disclose their
deepest fears and doubts as well as to make mistakes. What will be discussed
will be based on the characteristic ethos of personal and professional
development. Undoubtedly supervision enhances and advances counselling
practice, but one has to be conscious of how this works and why. Competent
counsellors are the heart and soul of the healing process. Within the context
of conscious raising facilitative supervision, reflection on and evaluation
of practice leads to essential skills and therapeutic approaches to counselling
being continually redefined and enhanced.
When sensitively planned and formulised this system naturally leads to
the self-propelling growth of all involved in the therapeutic relationship.
It is import that counsellors raise their consciousness and experience
supervision as helpful and supportive.
Supervision is a life-long process. It can be used anywhere, where people,
their creativity, initiative, productivity and quality are respected and
valued.
Deze lezing is in het Engels. Mensen die geen
Engels verstaan, mogen natuurlijk vrij nemen. |
