S4E3: Clinical Supervision PART 2: The Bits Nobody Taught You | Dr Paul Grantham

S4E3: Clinical Supervision PART 2: The Bits Nobody Taught You | Dr Paul Grantham

EPISODE SUMMARY

What really makes supervision high quality, and why do most of us avoid thinking about it until there’s a complaint on the horizon? In this episode, Dr. Natalie Stott and Dr Paul Grantham wade into the murky waters of supervision for therapists—shining a light on everything from note-taking and record keeping to supervision of supervision (yes, it’s a thing). Listen in as they pick apart the shoulds, coulds, and musts of being a supervisor, who should keep the notes, what to do when things go off-piste, and how private practice is a whole different kettle of fish. Plenty here for supervisors and supervisees alike, plus a nod to models like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for good measure.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00:02 – Why supervision matters (and what nobody tells you)00:01:57 – How to become a supervisor, and does accreditation matter?00:04:10 – Bridging theory and practice: why ongoing support trumps a certificate00:05:42 – Supervision of supervisors: why “peer groups” aren’t just for show00:10:48 – How supervisors can (accidentally) do real harm00:14:58 – Supervision records and notes: who keeps them, who gets to see them, and why it matters00:20:12 – How much experience do you really need before supervising others?00:23:04 – The markers of a genuinely good supervisor00:26:01 – What supervisees should do if their gut says “something’s not right”00:29:45 – Training, resources, and the elusive ‘perfect supervisor’

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Choose supervision courses that are third-party accredited if you want real quality control—anyone can call themselves a supervisor, but not all courses are equal.

• Peer supervision groups are helpful, but having an external, experienced facilitator can turn “that’s interesting…” into real professional growth.

• Private practice supervisors risk creating echo chambers—seek out challenge, not just comfort.

• Keep supervision records: treat them like client notes, ensure they’re agreed upon by both supervisor and supervisee, and know under what conditions they might be accessed.

• Good contracts should specify who holds the records, when they can be released, and include a process for conflict (consider a “grandparent” supervisor).

• For ethical dilemmas and fitness-to-practice queries, clear note-keeping protects everyone—don’t rely on memory when the court calls.

• Supervision of supervision prevents stagnation and isolation and helps supervisors tackle challenges they missed in training.

GUEST

Dr Paul Grantham

A seasoned psychologist and clinical supervisor who runs one of the few independent, BPS-accredited supervision training courses. Draws on decades of experience with clinical supervision in both organisational and private practice settings.

RESOURCES

• SDS Seminars: info and supervision courses – [LINK]

• David Milne’s book: Evidence-Based Clinical Supervision – [LINK]

CALL TO ACTION

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DISCLAIMER

For education only. Not a substitute for professional supervision or clinical judgement.

Guest Information:

Social media:

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Resources mentioned:

Free Editable Supervision ContractEvidence-Based Clinical Supervision: Principles and Practice | WileySDS Seminars: info and supervision courses –

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SUPERVISOR PLATFORM

Supervisor Platform is an online directory designed for therapists, psychologists, counsellors, and other mental health professionals to connect with qualified clinical supervisors. It makes it easy for practitioners to browse, compare, and contact supervisors based on their expertise, approach, and availability, while giving supervisors a professional space to showcase their services.

Supervisor Platform (with 3 months free trial code 'WELCOME3')To search for a new supervisor visit HEREFor free resources on supervision visit HERE

Disclaimer: The Mastering therapy podcast and the information provided by Dr Natalie Stott (Dclinpsych, HPCP reg), is solely intended for informational and educational purposes and should only be used by qualified professionals.

Mentioned in this episode:

Supervisor platform

SUPERVISOR PLATFORM: Visit www.supervisorplatform.com to search supervisors You can list your profile for free for 3 months

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Supervision Contract download

FREE Supervision Contract- Download yours at https://supervisorplatform.com/supervision-contract

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