Frequently Asked Questions

Clinical supervision needs to be approached with an open and reflective attitude. The benefits to be gained will be determined by your input into the process, and may include increased confidence in your practice, development of professional skills, a reduction in stress and improvement in coping skills.

Any issues that impact on your professional practice may be discussed. Some issues frequently brought to clinical supervision include relationship issues with patients or staff, challenges, and managing issues that may be causing conflict. What is discussed at supervision is determined by you, as the supervisee, in accordance with your original clinical supervision agreement. Occasionally, some more personal issues may arise outside of the scope of clinical supervision, and supervisors are trained to recognise this and to refer you in the right direction for any assistance. Your supervisor only has a professional contract with you.

At a time and place that is mutually agreed with your clinical supervisor. For those working in organisations rather than being in self-employed private practice, please ensure that your organisational management is aware of your clinical supervision sessions, including those that you need to pay for privately, and where they are taking place. Consideration may need to be given to peak activity periods and the needs of your area. Good clinical supervision is best conducted away from your immediate clinical area in a comfortable room that is private, free from distractions, and lends itself to confidential discussion.

Your supervisor should be somebody with whom you feel comfortable and safe in order for you to reflect openly on your professional practice. They do not need to be an expert in your field. A good supervisor will be appropriately trained, receiving clinical supervision themselves, and able to help you explore your issues in a non-judgmental manner. You should also ensure that your supervisor is available and accessible to you on a regular basis.

We suggest that your clinical supervisor is from a different area, ward, unit, or team. This is to maintain objectivity and confidentiality, and to reduce bias from the process.

As the purpose of clinical supervision is primarily to benefit your clients, as well as your own professional development, good practice recommends that you have regular clinical supervision. Regular frequency means at least an hour a month, although fortnightly or weekly sessions are often advisable when your own development or the nature of your work requires more frequent sessions. If your organisation is unable to fund more frequent clinical supervision, good practice guidelines may require you to pay privately for this crucial professional need in order to ensure that your work is safe, competent and ethical.

Clinical supervision is a process of reflection to understand issues that are relevant to practice. Sometimes this may take a little longer than expected. The supervision process should be reviewed for suitability at mutually agreed times, for instance, every three sessions. This should form part of your clinical supervision working agreement. At any point, should the clinical supervision experience be unsatisfactory for either party, the agreement should be discussed prior to cessation.

If possible, choose a supervisor from a nearby location. If this isn’t possible, you can choose someone further away, but try to have an initial face-to-face meeting to establish the process. Subsequent supervision sessions can then be held via the phone, Skype, or telehealth with good effect.

The clinical supervisor role is complex and multi-faceted. Although most professionals have substantial skills in their profession, clinical supervision is a unique practice that requires its own core skills, knowledge and attitudes. Training and preparation for the supervisor role is both crucial and ethical. Training as an individual clinical supervisor does not prepare future supervisors for conducting group supervision, for which group clinical supervision preparation is required.

ACSA also recommends a minimum of two years professional practice, prior to consideration of training as a clinical supervisor.

This would depend on whether involvement is with individual or group supervision. Supervisors should also be in supervision. Supervision needs should be considered along with current workloads. We suggest a guide for a full-time worker as supervising up to two supervisees and seeking your own supervision monthly as a minimum. However, this depends on your work circumstance.