Clinical supervision is a central component in the training and practice of pre-licensed and registered psychotherapists.
Central to working as a psychotherapist, I think asking the question of what it means to be a psychotherapist is important.
From my perspective psychotherapy is not:
Finding solutions
For clients to learn emotional regulation.
For clients to learn to be present
Using methods to ‘cure’ someone. The method provides a path.
To diagnose.
To promote happiness or contentment.
In my opinion psychotherapy is a deeply human experience with another human being as a witness, as a mirror with impressions and insights but it is ultimately a long process of being with one’s humanness and asking questions about life. Psychotherapy requires a long and laborious process of pulling together all those “fragmented and chaotic bits and pieces of unconscious personalities, into an integrated whole which is conscious of itself and the way in which it works.” Boundaries of the Self, p. 143 June Singer.
We have a world that is in a state of change, fear and divisions. We as people suffer with depression, anxiety, loneliness, lack of fulfillment or living without purpose or direction. I believe without becoming conscious, the world cannot change. We need people to develop deeper insight, understanding and compassion for others, with a perspective on life that goes beyond the satisfaction of the individual needs and desires. Psychotherapy with individuals that leads to introspection and inner work, are the small steps to changes in the world. If each individual becomes more visible to their inner workings, to put into practice living with wholeness, health and purpose, then we also heal our relationships and in turn the world.
As a psychotherapist a central task is developing curiosity with clients, to not stay in the past but release the psyche to move forward. Central is developing a way of finding moments to capture the language of the psyche through emotions, imagination, ideas, dreams, fantasy and metaphor. The arts of being a psychotherapist is finding ways and moments to offer interpretations that help to put language and meaning to the clients ailment, struggle or feeling stuck.
Another central aspect of psychotherapy is the therapeutic relationship between the client and therapist. The unconscious material that arise between the two personalities, and the dynamics that emerge and are acknowledged and incorporated throughout the therapeutic process.
Some of the supervision topics explored are:
Developing awareness of transference and countertransference (Use of self in clinical work)
Getting support for complex cases.
Ethical issues, including boundaries.
Developing confidence as a psychotherapist.
Self-care.
As a clinical supervisor, I provide a safe place to explore professional development while also supporting yourself to prevent burnout.
I am an experienced clinician with more than 20 years of private practice and community and hospital social work. I have supervised MSW students through Wilfrid Laurier, Windsor and Kings College and provided supervision to training psychotherapists. I have post graduate certifications: eating disorders, mind-body psychotherapy, expressive arts and trauma. My primary orientation is psychodynamic and somatic psychotherapy.
Cost for one hour supervision is $150.00
Discounted rates for 4 sessions: $500