Supervision

I offer clinical supervision to counsellors and psychotherapists who are looking for a reflective space in which to think more deeply about their work.

My own background is in analytical psychotherapy, and this informs the way I approach supervision. I am interested not only in what is happening in the therapy, but also in what may be taking place beneath the surface, within the therapeutic relationship, within the therapist, and within the wider emotional field of the work.

My approach to supervision

I see supervision as more than simply reviewing what happened in a session. It is a space in which we can slow things down, think about the material together and become curious about what may be difficult to see when we are immersed in the work.

This may include thinking about unconscious processes, transference and countertransference, the therapeutic frame, boundaries, enactments and the emotional impact of the work on the therapist.

I sometimes use the idea of an inner crucible to describe an important part of therapeutic work. A crucible is a vessel able to withstand intense heat while something is being transformed within it. In a similar way, therapists need to develop the capacity to bear and contain powerful feelings without becoming overwhelmed by them or needing to act on them too quickly.

Supervision can help strengthen this inner crucible. Together, we can hold difficult emotional material long enough for it to be thought about, understood and given meaning. What initially feels confusing, disturbing or urgent can then become something that can be reflected upon rather than simply reacted to.

For me, this capacity to bear, contain and understand emotional experience is central both to the therapist’s development and to their ability to provide a containing space for the people they work with.

Who I work with

I provide supervision for counsellors and psychotherapists working in private practice, organisations and other therapeutic settings.

You do not need to work analytically yourself. I am happy to supervise practitioners from different therapeutic backgrounds who are interested in developing a greater understanding of unconscious processes and the relational aspects of their work.

Experience and training

I have over 20 years’ clinical experience in private practice and the NHS and trained as a Jungian Analytical Psychotherapist.

I completed a Diploma in Supervision in 2019 and am registered with BAPPS. I am also a Training Analyst and Co-Chair of the West Midlands Institute of Psychotherapy (WMIP), alongside my involvement in teaching and training.

Arranging supervision

I offer supervision either in person from my practice in Sedgley, Dudley, or online via Zoom.

I normally work on a regular basis, either weekly or fortnightly, as I find that continuity provides the best opportunity to develop a thoughtful and secure supervisory relationship.

If you are considering supervision with me, we can arrange an initial consultation to think about your work, what you are looking for from supervision and whether working together feels appropriate.

You can contact me directly at shanesneyd@gmail.com to arrange an initial conversation.