At Core Kids Therapy, we offer clinical supervision for mental health social workers, mental health occupational therapists, play therapists, counsellors and youth workers who work with children aged 2-12, and their parent/ carers. The supervision is provided by trained supervisors who tailor their approaches to the needs and goals of each supervisee. The focus of the supervision includes reflective practice, clinical guidance and feedback, self-care and well-being, ethical issues, private practice, healthy boundaries, and professional identity.

Reflective practice is a huge part of the supervision process, which involves conscious examination of the things one is doing and why they are doing them. Reflective practice allows for growth, change, and adaptation of practice as necessary. It involves being self-aware while remaining curious and open, as well as consultation and collaboration with peers and supervisors to understand one’s own capacities and needs, as well as those of clients.

The focus areas of clinical supervision include:

• Deepening knowledge and skills related to particular treatment modalities
• Receiving constructive feedback
• Refining assessment, and case formulation skills
• Discussing administrative and clinical governance issues
• Working through ethical dilemmas
• Receiving guidance around managing risk-related issues.

The benefits of clinical supervision include:

• Receiving emotional support
• Deepening self-awareness
• Developing a toolkit of skills and strategies to explore with clients
• Prioritizing self-care and boundaries
• Being able to discuss and express concerns to gain a different perspective
• Having access to the experience and expertise of a senior colleague.

Group supervision and debriefing sessions are also offered at CoRe Kids Therapy, which allow for the active support and resourcing of staff, increasing skill levels and staff morale, as well as reducing worker burnout and staff turnover.

Overall, the goal of clinical supervision is to support the supervisee in the provision of safe person-centered practice and to enable them to gain new understandings and move forward in their professional practice with a restored sense of confidence and passion.