Choosing your supervisor
Most of us know that supervision is essential, but it’s not always made clear what it involves, what we can bring to it, or how to make the most of it during training.
If you’re in private practice, you’re responsible for finding your supervision. This can feel exciting but also a little overwhelming, especially if you haven’t found a supervisor who feels like the right match.
Now, you’re in charge. You can ask for the support you need, whether that’s clinical guidance, a space to reflect, emotional support, ethical advice, or help with the business side of your work. Good supervision can provide all of this and more.
Finding the right supervisor can be tricky, but it’s worth the effort. A good connection can improve your experience as a therapist and positively impact your clients’ outcomes.
At Counsellors’ Staffroom, we want to make this process easier. Our community includes many skilled and thoughtful supervisors, each with their own unique approach, style, and experiences.
Before we guide you through our Find a Supervisor process, this guide will help you think about what you need and how to choose the best person from the list we provide.
What does a supervisor do?
Supervision is there to support your clinical work, but it usually does much more.
A good supervisor can help you hold complexity, reflect on your choices, stay connected to your values, and navigate the emotional load of the work. Some supervisors offer a clear structure and challenge. Others offer spaciousness and warmth. Many do both, depending on what’s needed at the time.
Here are some of the ways supervision can support you in private practice:
Clinical thinking
Supervision gives you a place to explore your client work, especially when something feels stuck, uncertain, or ethically tricky. It’s a space to think out loud, test ideas, notice blind spots, and keep your practice evolving.
Reflective practice and development
Therapists never stop learning. Supervision offers a regular check-in point to reflect on how you’re performing, notice patterns, and think about where you’re growing or where you feel stretched.
A good supervisor will also be able to point you toward CPD or resources that match your goals.
Emotional support
Private practice can feel emotionally heavy at times. You might carry grief, trauma, big changes, or stuck situations. Supervision offers a safe space to share, cry, laugh, or just be yourself. It helps you return to your work feeling refreshed and supported.
Maintaining high standards
Supervision keeps you and your clients safe. It’s a place to discuss challenges, identify risks, and ensure you’re following your professional body’s ethical guidelines. This doesn’t have to feel strict; it’s about working together to maintain good practice.
Managing risk
When a client is in crisis or something urgent arises, your supervisor can help you pause, think clearly, and plan your next steps. They can also support you in exploring your own reactions, especially if the work feels overwhelming or unsettling.
Searching for a supervisor: reflections
You have a shortlist of potential therapists, that’s a great start!. Maybe a few names have come up in our community, or we’ve sent you a list through our Find a Supervisor service. But how do you pick the right one?
While qualifications and availability are important, supervision is also about connection. A supervisor’s style, values, and presence will shape how the space feels for you. Here are a few things to think about as you explore your options:
Clinical and private practice experience
Does their experience match your work? Have they supervised others in similar settings or therapy styles? If you’re in private practice, it helps to have a supervisor who understands the challenges of balancing therapy with tasks like admin, marketing, boundaries, and burnout.
Way of working
Every supervisor has a unique approach. Some use structured methods, others focus on the process, and some are more relational and intuitive. There’s no one right way it’s about finding someone whose style helps you think clearly and grow as a therapist.
Values and ethics
Do their values feel like a good fit for yours? Do they talk about power, identity, neurodiversity, or trauma-informed practice in a way that aligns with your approach (or how you’d like to work)? Feel free to ask questions. Supervision should feel like a safe, ethical space.
Practical considerations
Does their schedule work with yours? Do they offer sessions in a format that suits you, like in-person, online, or phone? Are their fees affordable for your practice?
It’s also good to know their boundaries around things like emails between sessions or emergency contact. Some supervisors are open to occasional check-ins, while others keep stricter boundaries. Neither is wrong, but knowing what to expect helps you plan ahead.
Making a decision: take time to reflect
Finding a supervisor isn’t just about ticking boxes on qualifications or availability. It’s about finding someone you feel comfortable with; someone who can hold the space you need.
Before you commit, take a moment to ask yourself:
- Can I imagine being open and honest with this supervisor?
- Do I feel safe sharing challenges and uncertainties?
- Does their style and experience fit where I am in my practice?
- Would they encourage me to grow in ways that feel right for me?
It’s okay to ask questions during your first conversations about their approach, values, availability, and anything else that matters to you. This is your supervision, shaped for your needs.
It’s also okay to meet with a few people before deciding, and to say no if it doesn’t feel like the right fit. Supervision is a relationship that supports your professional and personal growth, so it deserves your time and care.
How to use our “Find a Supervisor” service
We’ve developed a straightforward, effective process that makes finding a supervisor fast and hassle-free.
Tell us about your needs
Start by completing our online form. Share a little about what you’re looking for, including your preferred session format (online, in-person, or phone), availability, and any specific requirements or preferences. The more we know, the better we can tailor your matches.
We’ll do the searching for you
Once we receive your details, we share your request anonymously with our network of supervisors. They’ll respond if they’re a good fit for your needs.
Receive your list of potential supervisors
We’ll send you a list of supervisors who meet your criteria. Each supervisor includes a short introductory message and a link to their professional profile or website so you can learn more.
Choose your supervisor
Take your time to review the list and connect with supervisors who feel like the right fit. This is your supervision journey, so choose someone who supports you and your practice.