If you are reading this page, you are most likely an MFTI/ A or a psych assistant looking for a supervisor to complete your required SPE hours for your board. Talking from experience, finding the “right supervisor” could be stressful; once you find the “right supervisor,” your experience could become a supportive and rewarding one!
Therapy is both an art and a science. As mental health providers, we learn the basic scientific principles during our academic years. However, we develop the art of implementing the science in each case and with each individual in therapy through practice, which could be challenging at times. In the real world and with real clients, we may find ourselves needing support in dealing with different situations. For example, we might need help in knowing How to support The client in distress, the one going through loss and grief, the quiet client, the defiant teenager, the aggressive client,…… Or we might need help understanding ourselves as providers. Understanding our feeling, our biases, our understanding of ethical dilemmas, our self-care, our strengths, and limitations can help us navigate the therapy process much more fluidly. These situations and questions are complex, to say the least, and as mental health clinicians, at some point in our career, regardless of our experience, we face some type of challenge that we need support for. For the more seasoned clinicians, “ consultation” regarding a situation is always beneficial. For the less experienced ones, “clinical supervision” can provide support by offering oversight and a deeper understanding of the situation.
During clinical supervision, a supervisee usually meets with the supervisor to discuss cases, treatment strategies/ planning, and other important topics. Being in the field of “mental health” and working with distraught people can inherently be stressful. During supervision, a key aspect of clinical supervision is to help the therapist/ supervisee find a balance between life and career, and be mindful of their emotions while practicing self-care.
Like any other profession, of therapy no two therapists are the same, in their “style” of providing therapy. This uniqueness is great as it provides the opportunity for the client to find the “right therapist”, once the match happens therapeutic alliance grows. I believe the same principle applies in choosing a supervisor, once you find the “ right supervisor” your journey towards your goal becomes smoother.
As for Dr Leyla, she has enjoyed her experience in supervising trainees and interns. She encourages you to contact the potential supervisors and don’t be shy to ask questions to see if they are the “right fit” for you. Check with your appropriate board ( BBS, BOP) and see the requirements. There is helpful information on the board websites to help you navigate the process much easier!
Let us know if I can help you. Feel free to contact me; let’s see if we could work together.