The Supervision Hour - An Anchor in the Storm

As an early career therapist, supervision is a lifeline for me. I was full of enthusiasm and ideas when I started, but I soon realised how much weight the role of a therapist carries. I believe that supervision adds value to one’s professional development. It helps one put theoretical knowledge into practice and navigate the intricacies of real-life practice. 

Supervision is an ethical responsibility and professional necessity that protects the therapist and the client’s well-being. The supervisor welcomes a space for the therapist to explore other perspectives and ways of looking at their client. They invite us to pause and reflect rather than giving us immediate answers. They work alongside us and help bring a holistic understanding of the client.

It is more than a regular check-in; it’s a place of growth, especially during the times I feel lost, question the direction, the approach, or feel overwhelmed with the work. My supervisor helps me see the blind spots that I have missed and guides me through these moments. Having a supervisor who provides guidance, reassurance, and constructive feedback not only helps with a different perspective but also builds my confidence as a therapist. 

This space has made me realise that it's not as linear as client-case discussion, but how I can show up in those spaces as well. It allows me to explore my emotions that come up during the sessions, how my lived experiences and values have shaped me, and my work. This introspection with the supervisor's support allows me to be self-aware during challenging situations, helps to grow as a therapist, and shows up authentically for my clients. It ensures that I am present for my clients without losing myself in the process. 

Without supervision, therapists may become adrift like a rudderless ship. As therapists, we hold a space for others, where in quiet rooms, stories that cannot be shared are heard. It may sometimes feel like an isolating profession. Having someone to talk to, share ideas, and voice out my doubts without the fear of judgment feels comforting. Supervision becomes a space where I am not the listener, but the one who feels seen, heard, and supported. It becomes a space of learning and vulnerability, which reminds me that it is okay not to have all the answers and that growth comes with exploring this discomfort. 

To the early career therapists, I understand that it feels scary when we start off, you may feel isolated, may sometimes question your capabilities too. However, some professionals have been through the same journey and are ready to impart knowledge and share their experiences with us. They become an invaluable resource that makes us feel connected and reaffirms our commitment to work. Together, we work towards the welfare of the clients. They have helped me gain clarity, not by handing over the answers but by questioning and helping me reflect. Supervisors have contributed to my personal and professional growth and have allowed me to become more skilled and confident as a therapist. 

Supervision is also a place to bring in the good. The subtle shifts in the client’s body language or expressions, the breakthroughs that may be perceived as small but are deeply meaningful,  and the connection deepened in the therapeutic relationship. These moments deserve to be heard, and supervision offers a space to celebrate these. It is a space where we are witnessed by someone who understands the complexity and depth of this work. 

We don’t learn only from what went wrong, but also from what went right. As these moments are noticed and reflected to us, they shape how we carry ourselves in the room. We begin to trust ourselves a little more and follow our instincts. The validation received is not about ego or being perfect, but is deeper than that. It is about integration. It speaks to parts of ourselves that worry we are not good enough, the parts that sit with doubt after a difficult session. When the supervisor holds up the mirror, those parts of us get a moment to breathe, feel held, seen, and supported. 

Supervision is more than a mandatory requirement for me, it is a reminder that we as therapists are continually learning, growing, and evolving. For me, it is a secret to becoming the therapist I aspire to be, thoughtful and kind to my clients and myself.