Frequently Asked Questions About Supervision for Trainee Counsellors in Leeds, Otley and Online.

 

Do you supervise trainee counsellors?

Yes

​

What is supervision for trainee counsellors?

 

Supervision is a professional relationship that provides a dedicated space to reflect on your client work, explore ethical and safeguarding considerations, develop your skills and support your wellbeing as a trainee counsellor.

​

Whilst supervision is a requirement of counselling training, it is much more than a course obligation.

 

Good supervision offers a safe, supportive and reflective space where you can think openly about your work, learn from challenges and grow in confidence as a therapist.

​

Why do trainee counsellors need supervision?

 

Counselling can be incredibly rewarding work, but it also brings responsibility, uncertainty and emotional demands.

​

Supervision helps trainee counsellors to:

• Work safely and ethically

• Reflect on client work

• Explore therapeutic relationships

• Develop confidence and clinical judgement

• Discuss safeguarding and risk concerns

• Understand personal responses to client work

• Continue developing professionally

 

Supervision helps ensure both you and your clients are supported throughout the therapeutic process.

​

What is your approach to supervision?

 

Liz & Rachel's approach is compassionate, collaborative and curious.

​

Aiming to create a space where you can bring your uncertainties as well as your successes. Together, we'll think about your client work through a relational, trauma-informed and neuro-affirming lens whilst holding ethical responsibilities, professional standards and your own wellbeing in mind.

​

Supervision with Liz or Rachel is not about judgement or criticism. It is about thoughtful exploration, shared reflection and supporting you to grow in confidence and authenticity as a practitioner.​

 

Liz & Rachel both work Integratively with a strong person centred base and welcome therapists from a variety of theoretical backgrounds.

​

Rather than expecting you to fit a rigid model, supervision focuses on understanding your way of working, your clients' needs and how we can think creatively and ethically together.

​

If you're unsure whether your modality would be a good fit, please get in touch to discuss this further.​

​

How often should I attend supervision?

 

The frequency of supervision depends on several factors, including:

• The requirements of your training course

• Professional body guidance

• The number of client hours you undertake

• The complexity of your work

• Your own professional needs

 

We can think together about what arrangement feels most appropriate for your practice.

​​

What can I bring to supervision?

 

You can bring anything related to your therapeutic work and development.

​

This may include:

• Client work

• Ethical dilemmas

• Safeguarding concerns

• Risk assessments

• Questions about theory

• Confidence struggles

• Imposter feelings

• Difficult therapeutic relationships

• Challenges within placement settings

• Personal responses to client work

• Professional development goals

• Successes and achievements

 

Many trainee counsellors worry they need to arrive with solutions. In reality, supervision is often most valuable when you bring the questions you don't yet have answers to.

​

What if I feel nervous about supervision?

Feeling nervous about supervision is incredibly common, particularly during training.

​

Many trainees worry about being judged, criticised or appearing inexperienced.

​

Our aim is to create a supervision relationship where you feel safe enough to be honest about uncertainty, ask questions and explore difficulties openly.

​

Supervision is not about catching mistakes or testing your knowledge.

It is about learning, reflection and development.

​

You do not need to be the perfect trainee to benefit from supervision.

​

How often should trainee counsellors attend supervision?

 

The frequency of supervision depends on several factors, including:

• Your training course requirements

• The number of client hours you are completing

• Professional body guidance

• The complexity of your client work

• Your individual learning needs

 

We can discuss your specific requirements during our initial conversation and agree on an arrangement that supports both your course expectations and your development.

​

Do you supervise trainee counsellors around working with risk?

 

Yes.

​

Many trainee counsellors feel anxious when working with self-harm, suicidal thoughts, safeguarding concerns or complex emotional distress.

​

Supervision provides a space to think carefully about risk, develop confidence in your decision-making and explore appropriate responses in a supportive and reflective environment.

​

Rather than approaching risk from a place of fear, we can work together to develop confidence, curiosity and a deeper understanding of what clients may be communicating through their distress.

​

Can supervision help me build confidence as a counsellor?

Absolutely.

​

One of the most common themes trainee counsellors bring to supervision is self-doubt.

​

Many worry that they are not doing enough, don't know enough or are somehow "behind" other trainees.

​

Supervision can help you:

• Recognise your strengths

• Build confidence in your clinical judgement

• Understand your therapeutic style

• Explore areas for growth

• Develop trust in yourself as a practitioner

 

Confidence rarely comes from having all the answers. It often develops through reflection, experience and supportive supervision.

​

What if I make mistakes with a client?

 

Every counsellor, regardless of experience, encounters moments they wish they had handled differently.

Supervision is not about proving that you never make mistakes.

​

It is about creating a space where we can think together about what happened, what can be learned and how best to move forward.

​

Some of the most valuable professional growth comes from reflecting openly on situations that feel difficult or uncomfortable.

​

Do you supervise trainees from all theoretical approaches?

Yes.

​

Liz and Rachel work integratively with a core person centred base and welcome trainee counsellors from a variety of theoretical backgrounds.

​

Whilst your course may emphasise a particular modality, supervision can provide a space to explore how theory translates into practice and how you are developing your own therapeutic identity.

​

If you're unsure whether my approach would suit your training, please feel free to get in touch for an informal conversation.

​

What is a trauma-informed approach to supervision?

 

A trauma-informed approach recognises the impact that trauma, attachment experiences and nervous system responses can have on both clients and therapists.

​

Within supervision, this means creating a space that values safety, collaboration, curiosity and compassion.  Rather than focusing solely on symptoms or behaviours, we consider the experiences, needs and adaptations that may sit beneath them.

​

This perspective can be particularly helpful when working with clients experiencing anxiety, trauma, self-harm, emotional dysregulation or complex life experiences.

​

Do you offer neurodivergent-affirming supervision?

Yes.

​

Yes we aim to provide supervision that is respectful of different ways of thinking, processing and experiencing the world.

​

This includes supporting therapists who are:

• ADHD

• Autistic

• AuDHD

• Dyslexic

• Dyspraxic

• Exploring neurodivergence

 

We can think together about communication styles, sensory needs, executive functioning challenges, masking, burnout and ways of working that support both your wellbeing and professional development.

​

Can supervision help with placement challenges?

 

Yes.  Placements can be wonderful learning environments, but they can also bring challenges.

​

You may find yourself navigating:

• Confidence issues

• Organisational expectations

• Difficult client work

• Time pressures

• Ethical dilemmas

• Placement relationships

• Endings and transitions

 

Supervision can provide a reflective space to explore these experiences and identify supportive ways forward.

​

What happens during the first supervision session?

 

The first session is an opportunity for us to get to know one another and explore what you are hoping for from supervision.

​

We may discuss:

• Your training course

• Your placement

• Current client work

• Previous supervision experiences

• Areas you would like support with

• Your hopes and goals for supervision

 

It is also an opportunity for you to ask questions and decide whether the supervisory relationship feels like a good fit for you.

​

How do I know if we're a good fit?

 

The supervisory relationship is one of the most important professional relationships you will have as a counsellor.

​

It is important that you feel comfortable, respected and able to bring your authentic self into supervision.

​

Liz and Rachel offer an initial conversation so that we can explore whether working together feels right for both of us.  Liz & Rachel encourage you to trust your instincts and ask any questions you may have before committing to ongoing work together.

​

A good supervision relationship should leave you feeling supported, encouraged, thoughtfully challenged and more connected to your growth as a practitioner.

​

Can newly qualified counsellors continue supervision with you?

 

Yes.

​

Many therapists choose to continue working with the same supervisor after qualification, particularly if they value continuity and have built a strong supervisory relationship.

​

The transition from trainee to qualified practitioner often brings new challenges, and supervision can continue to provide a valuable source of reflection, support and professional development.

​

Do you offer supervision in Leeds, Otley and online?

 

Yes.

​

Supervision is available:

• Face-to-face in Leeds

• Face-to-face in Otley

• Online throughout the UK

 

This flexibility allows you to access support in a way that best suits your needs, location and schedule.

​​

 

​

Liz & Rachel would be delighted to have an initial conversation with you to explore whether working together feels right.  

​

​