"We understand another person in the same way as we understand, or seek to understand ourselves. What we do not understand in ourselves, we do not understand in the other person." - CG Jung
The focus I give to developing a good relationship is central to the way I work. If, as a supervisor and and supervisee , we can make a safe space in which to build trust then I think dealing with arising clinical issues and keeping clients safe is made much easier.
In our first meeting we can check out whether or not you want to work in 'real time' (video conferencing or instant messaging ) or you would prefer the reflective space of email sessions. I am wondering if you have already thought about this?
It can be useful to engage in supervision in the same way that you engage with your client online.
I started voluntary counselling work in 1996 and since then I have worked in a variety of organisational and community settings as a counsellor, supervisor and trainer. I have a small private practice, that incorporates both face 2 face and online work, clinical and supervision work. I worked for 4 years as Clinical Director at Youthreach in Greenwich. I also initiated the Onside Project in Medway, where I coordinated all therapeutic services for Children and Young people. I have also lectured in Counselling at Lewisham College. I currently work as the Spealist Lead for Emotional Support and Counselling Services at RNIB and am the Emeritus Chair of the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy).
...Is there is anything else you would like to know about me - then please ask.
I am a registered and accredited member of BACP, and as such abide by their ethical framework. My registration no is: 15231.
As a professional you are responsible for maintaining ethical working with your clients.
My aim is to totally keep our sessions confidential, and to also protect that identity of your clients. I will not speak with anyone outside our supervision, other than with my own supervisor, in peer supervision or within my supervision group, without our full discussion and your full agreement.
We will, in accordance with the BACP ethical guidelines for Online Supervision, work with the process and issues that you raise regarding your clients. I will not need to see your client’s writing unless there are specific small pieces you would like me to see that will help you to elaborate on your reflections.
The computer I use for online work is password protected and only used by me. If we work by email, you will need to make privacy arrangements for the e-mails we exchange. Word documents can be encrypted and sent as an email attachment with a password sent separately by email.
For live sessions with text we use Skype, WhatsApp, I-messenger, whatever works best for you. Most programs can be downloaded free to your computer or phone. I will keep transcripts of our sessions in a folder on my computer for the time we work together in supervision and for 6 months following. Your client’s name, if necessary, will be recorded only as an initial.
For live video sessions, I have a Blue Jeans account and access to Facetime – again we can explore which technology works best for us.
My computer also has firewalls and reliable virus protection.
I charge £60/hour. This fee is applicable to cancelled sessions within a 24 hour period.
If you need to cancel or change an appointment for any reason would you please try to give me reasonable notice. I will also give as much notice as possible if I need to cancel a session with you.
BACP ethical framework recommends 1.5 hours of supervision per a month. This does not need to be with the same supervisor. Could you please let me know how many hours per month you think you might like to work in supervision with me online.
Email gives you the opportunity to reflect on the pertinent issues that you need to bring to supervision. You can write as much as you need to in your e-mail, but if it helps you might think in terms of writing for the length of time you would be in a face-to-face supervision session. When I reply to you I will also work a set session time - either 1 hour or 1.5 hours - whatever we agree to. If I cant address everything in one session, I will write to what seem to be the most pressing issues, and highlight the ones that need to be picked up in the next session.
You can send your e-mail on whatever day of the week suits you. I will send you a short e-mail to tell you I have received it. It would be helpful if you could also do this so we both know the technology is working. I will then respond to you in full at a time that is mutual to us. I will let you know if there may be a delay for any reason.
If you are facing a crisis in your work or need a rapid response please tell me about this in your covering e-mail and I will get back to you as soon as I possibly can. I will also share with you my mobile number.
Working in text allows us to be in real time with each other but additionally by using words we might be able to explore the client process, especially if they too are working with email of text. We will agree an appointment time for you and I will meet you on the program that we agree at that time for our supervision session. If you are working online with a client in this way - this can be a useful way to mirror the counselling process.
Video conferencing may or may not be the way you work with your client, however it is a good way to mirror conventional supervision practice. You will be able to see me and I will be able to see you. As described earlier in this section there are a range of programs available for us to use to meet. You will need a camera attached to your PC or laptop to work in this way. Many phones these days also have cameras inbuilt.
Sometimes technology fails. If you cannot get online for your session with me then you may text me. In our first session, I will give you my mobile number. Texts are charged at local call rate within the UK. It would be great if you would share your mobile telephone number for the same reason. By sharing our numbers, I hope we can try and mitigate technology failure.
Like face 2 face work, I am boundaried in my time keeping. I will be online at the agreed time, but if you are late for any reason, I may not be able to continue past the scheduled session ending.
I think it is really important to arrange your supervision session for a time that will be free from interruptions, just as you would face2face supervision, and in a confidential space, where you can insure your client's confidentiality.
If there is anything here that you don’t understand, or if you feel is missing, please do feel free to raise it in any part of our relationship. If it feels important to you it probably is.
If you would like to work with me then please contact me via the contact page and I will get back to you as soon as possible.
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