5th September 2010 

Course Philosophy

As tutors, we value the establishment of a learning community for the life of the course. We believe that a high student/tutor ratio will offer a rich diversity with each member contributing to the learning of all.

We also believe that the practice of therapy and supervision is not a discrete activity which bears little relation to how we live our lives, but an integral part of it. We therefore need to take account of the whole person. We offer opportunities for students to reflect on and develop their skills and ethical practice as supervisees and supervisors.

Participants are expected to relate the course content to their own orientation. Students are encouraged to identify their own learning needs and to take responsibility for meeting those needs within the framework of the course. They are also encouraged to develop their own style and models of supervision. The course is therefore designed and delivered in a way that mirrors the spirit of the supervisory relationship.


Course Content

The overall aim of the course is to enable students to increase their competence and confidence and develop their practice in the following areas:


1. The purpose, role and task of supervision
2. The context in which supervision takes place
3. The working alliance
4. Issues affecting the supervisee
5. The process and skills of supervision
6. Group supervision
7. Assessment and evaluation in supervision
8. Ethical thinking and decision making
9. Working creatively with supervisees

All students are required to consider the BACP Ethical Framework for Good Practice in Counselling and Psychotherapy and any other code of ethics that they may adhere to in relation to their training and orientation and the context within which they work.

Course members will have opportunities to:
Practise skills
Make creative use of feedback
Reflect on their own learning
Increase personal awareness to work more effectively
Reflect on their own practice as supervisee and supervisor
Consider the professional and ethical requirements appropriate to their work situation

The course facilitators will offer a structure that includes:
Teaching input
Plenary sessions
Practice group tutorials
Experiential exercises