EC2327974
F1EJ 35 Counselling Supervision Unit HNC
Outcome 1: Describe the character of effective supervision

Counselling Supervision

What is counselling supervision?

Counselling supervision is a professional, collaborative and supportive relationship between someone who has received specialist training in this area and a practising or training counsellor (Hough,  2021). The main focus of counselling supervision is on helping the client which is achieved by helping the counsellor (Feltham & Dryden, 1994).

It is important to highlight that 'supervision' can conjure up thoughts of being monitored, evaluated or reviewed. It can also imply the notion of setting performance standards or goals that must be achieved in order to prove one's worth in the workplace. Some counsellors, particularly trainees or those newly qualified, can feel vulnerable and/or fearful of criticism when attending supervision. In this situation the supervisor is likely to be a far more experienced practitioner and may be perceived as an authority figure (Shohet & Wilmot, 1991). These ideas have no place within the context of counselling supervision. For supervision to be effective the counsellor needs to feel that they can express, explore, and learn from their fears, doubts and difficulties (Mearns, 1991).

Four Functions of Counselling Supervision

Education Function

Ethical Function

Supportive Function

Monitoring Function

Deepen theoretical and professional knowledge and practical skills by:

  • Encouraging counsellor self reflection
  • Exploring interventions used and possible alternatives
  • Reflecting on client work

Consider possible ethical issues such as:

  • Confidentiality
  • Competencies
  • Professional boundaries
  • Need for referral

Ensures counsellor well being by:

  • Promoting self care
  • Supporting the counsellor to sustain their personal resilience and resources
  • Helping prevent burnout
  • Providing opportunities for counsellors to discuss and explore their feelings and emotions in relation to their client work

Ensures that supervisees work is safe and is carried out to a professionally acceptable standard by:

  • Addressing concerns regarding potentially unethical practice
  • Holding counsellors accountable to their clients

Counselling Supervisor Responsibilities

Supporting Positive Action

Supporting supervisees to take positive, constructive and ethically appropriate actions to resolve difficulties and challenges with regard to client work.

Record Keeping

Maintaining accurate records of the key points discussed in the session

Model Good Practice

Provide support by modelling good levels of practice, particularly in regards to competence and professionalism. Hold, and continue to develop, qualifications, skills and knowledge pertaining to counsellor supervision and engage in supervision and professional support.

Values, Principles & Personal Moral Qualities

How they relate to counselling supervision and competent practice

The BACP Ethical Framework states that 'Commitment to Clients' and 'Good Practice' are underpinned by ethics. These ethics are based on a set of values, principals and personal moral qualities. This section of the Ethical Framework can be used, very successfully, in the context of supervision.

Values

Expressions of good intention

The ethical commitments underlying the purpose and goals of actions

In relation to counsellor supervision these include a commitment to:

* Enhancing supervisees well being and capabilities

As stated in the 'supportive' and 'education' functions, supervision supports the well being of counsellors and aims to improve knowledge and skills

* Improving the quality of relationships between supervisee and their client

The 'third eye' of Hawkins and Shohets model of supervision focuses on the the client-therapist relationship. Michael Eustace (Living Therapy) state that it is the therapeutic relationship between the client and the counsellor that is the vehicle for change.

*Protecting the safety of clients

Although supervision is a relationship between a supervisor and a supervisee the person that this relationship is ultimately helping is the person that is not in the room - the client. Through supervision the supervisor ensures that the counsellor is practising safely, professionally and ethically.

Principles

Convert good intentions into action

Principles are informed by values and highlight important ethical responsibilities.

* Self respect

Through supervision the supervisor can support the supervisee to foster their self knowledge, self-care and integrity

* Justice

Supervisors are responsible for ensuring that counsellors provide adequate, fair and impartial support to their clients

* Autonomy

The client has the right to be self-governing and supervision is where counsellors can explore any difficulties they may be experiencing in relation to supporting the client to follow the path they they choose. It also helps to strengthen the counsellors confidence in their decision making, particularly in regard to inventions

Personal Moral Qualities

A counsellors personal moral qualities will impact relationships with clients and colleagues. Those with highly compatible personal and professional moral qualities tend to find this benefits their working relationships.

Some key personal qualities that are useful in supervision include:

* Candour

The ability to be open when there is a potential risk to client safety

* Identity

Having a sense of self in relation to others. Working with the 'Seven-Eyed Model of Supervision' could be useful in discovering hidden aspects of teh counsellor and how they relation to their clients

* Humility

Supervision can be used to discover and assess the strengths and weaknesses of the counsellor

References

* BACP (2018). Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions. [online] BACP. British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. Available at: https://www.bacp.co.uk/media/3103/bacp-ethical-framework-for-the-counselling-professions-2018.pdf [Accessed 30 Sept. 2026].

* BACP (2019). BACP Ethical Framework | Supervision resources. [online] Bacp.co.uk. Available at: https://www.bacp.co.uk/events-and-resources/ethics-and-standards/ethical-framework-for-the-counselling-professions/supervision/ [Accessed 30 Sept. 2026].

*BACP (2018). BACP Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions. [online] BACP. Available at: https://www.bacp.co.uk/events-and-resources/ethics-and-standards/ethical-framework-for-the-counselling-professions/ [Accessed 30 Sept. 2026].

*Eustace, M. (2010). Living Therapy - Counselling in Southampton. [online] Livingtherapy.co.uk. Available at: https://www.livingtherapy.co.uk/seven-eyed-model [Accessed 30 Sept. 2026].

* Feltham, C. and Dryden, W. (1994). Developing counsellor supervision. London ; Thousand Oaks, Calif.: Sage.

* Hough, M (2021) Counselling Skills and Theory (5th ed.) London: Hodder Education

*Mearns, D. (1991). On Being a Supervisor. In: Training and Supervision for Counselling in Action. London: Sage Publications, pp.116–128.

* Lead Academy (2022). What Is Supervision in Counselling? A Practical UK Guide. [online] Lead Academy. Available at: https://lead-academy.org/blog/what-is-supervision-in-counselling/ [Accessed 30 Sept. 2026].

*Litherland, G., Schulthes, G., Cowles, C. and Ewe, E. (2023). The Proctor Model of Clinical Supervision: An Introduction for Professional Counselors. Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision, [online] 17(5), p.17. Available at: https://research.library.kutztown.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1655&context=jcps [Accessed 30 Sept. 2026].

*NCPS. (2018). The Importance of Counselling Supervision. [online] Available at: https://ncps.com/our-voice/the-importance-of-counselling-supervision [Accessed 30 Sept. 2026].

* Shohet, R. and Wimot, J. (1991). The Key Issue in the Supervision of Counsellors: The Supervisory Relationship. In: Training and Supervision for Counselling in Action. London: Sage Publications, pp.87–98.