According to the Australian Counselling Association policy in relation to Professional Supervision effective as of 1st of March 2013, supervision is...
"A formal arrangement for counsellors to discuss their work regularly with someone who is experienced in counselling and supervision. The task is to work together to ensure and develop the efficiency of the counsellor/client relationship.
Professional supervision is a process to maintain adequate standards of counselling and a method of consultancy to widen the horizons of an experienced practitioner. Counselling exposes counsellors to situations that impose a great demand on practitioners emotional and professional well-being. This demand can lead to becoming enmeshed and over involved leading to ineffective practice.
Counsellors cannot in all cases be objective about their own abilities, agendas and practices. A supervisor can be objective and help the counsellor to grow and learn. The supervisor can ensure that the counsellor is meeting the needs of their clients and keeping to ethical and professional standards. Supervisors will also help counsellors relate practice to theory and visa versa. Supervisors are most likely to identify potential mental health issues in the Supervisee before they become a problem.
Professional Supervision is a contractual agreement."
For more information please download the ACA's pdf here.
