INDIVIDUAL & GROUP SUPERVISION
I have been supervising Counsellors and Therapists since 2001, having learnt my supervisory perspectives as an 'apprentice' to gifted, diverse and sometimes maverick supervisors and therapists. It can be very uncomfortable to travel with someone into the extremities of their experience of being, into the darkness, into the fears of being here, alive, into the myriad realms of the mind. But is this not the true realm of therapy; is this not what we are dealing with here? And.... if happiness arises, it has to emerge from all this; hardly a romantic, comforting or ‘positive’ thought, though true none-the-less. We have to deal with defeat in our lives; the therapist has to be able to be with that sense of the unanswerable, the insoluble, the baffling and mystifying awesomeness of being here. Life has no answer, only questions. And…. as Beckett says, ‘there is no cure for that’! In these times of uniformity and conformity of 'learning', I offer you the opportunity to broaden and deepen your practice and perspectives; helping you develop an ownership of your unique ways of being as therapist, the ability to be curious about your clients and to bring love to the fears that arise in your work.
SOME THOUGHTS ON SUPERVISION
I think my role as supervisor is to facilitate and encourage a space of curiosity, to explore how and who you are as a therapist; to help you develop a sense of personal sovereignty, gravitas and your unique style of working; all important aspects of being a therapist. A chance to deepen presence, integrity, authenticity and haecceity; helping you look at your own agendas, beliefs, culture and persuasions; i.e. ‘where you’re coming from’, your own viewpoint.
At root, I believe the therapist's territory is the 'field of love and fear'; the field we work in is often 'the unknown, the uncertain, the unsure, the 'no-answer', the helpless; fearful places! In becoming more aware of our own fears, we can help bring love and clarity to our work. This is also, of course, the supervisor's territory! How could it not be?! It's exciting work, both serious and at times absurd, our clients teach us!
SUPERVISION GROUPS
The supervision groups I facilitate are usually a mix of experienced, less experienced and trainee therapists; the range of depth and breadth of experience in these groups provides a refreshing fluency that can become 'stagnated' in solely 'peer' groups. I currently run two monthly groups; please get in touch to enquire about space.
Previous Participants said:
"I have thoroughly enjoyed being part of the professional development group. It was interesting having a space that defied labels such as: "supervision", "mentoring", "therapy" a curious space in which we could bring ourselves fully and be, rather than perform, do, or search. It was a space in which we could share stories of triumphs and failure, lick our wounds and laugh.”
“We sometimes leafed through the rulebook questioning everything playfully. At times the group seemed to perform for me the role of a midwife, facilitating the birth of my identity as a newly qualified practitioner.”
“Clive is interested and curious about how we practice and who we are as individuals and therapists. As a group leader he can be funny, caring, profound, silly, irreverent and very generous in sharing his experience. He creates a safe, permission-giving space, is ready to help, advise, or just listen."
“Clive groups are always supportive, safe engaging and challenging places. He’s an incisive and insightful practitioner who is comfortable dealing with difficult subjects and remaining fully present in any discussion. I always leave with things to think about and feeling energised. There is also a lot of laughing!”