Abstract

Counsellors and psychotherapists in the UK are required to have a supervisor to support them in their work. Yet few books consider the experience of supervision from the perspective of the supervisee.
This book fills the gap by focusing on what supervisees need to bear in mind in order for the process of supervision to be both constructive and productive.
• It acts as a 'how-to' guide, offering advice on all aspects of the supervisory relationship, from finding the right supervisor through to dealing with interpersonal tensions and ethical dilemmas

• It is packed with tips and advice grounded in the authors' years of real-life practice and vividly illustrated by brief examples throughout. Reflective questions at regular intervals will help readers to apply what they read to their personal experience.

Perfect for all stages of development, whether you are a trainee, novice practitioner or seasoned professional, this is an essential handbook for everyone working in the counselling and psychotherapy fields.

Written by four experienced supervisors and supervisees, this book explores the benefits, issues and expectations of supervision in counselling
Alan Dunnett is Visiting Lecturer in Counselling Studies at York St John University, UK, and was formerly head of Counselling studies. He has worked closely the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy as Chair of the Core Curriculum Consortium, and currently participates in debates and decision-making concerning counsellors as a Governor of the BACP.
 
Caroline Jesper is Senior Lecturer in Counselling Studies at York St John University, UK. She is Programme Director for the Postgraduate Certificate in Counsellor Supervision, and works in private practice in counselling, coaching and supervision. Her areas of specialism include counselling young people and supervision, and she has undertaken research on the impact of dual relationships in counselling supervision.
 
Maire O'Donnell works in private practice as a supervisor and counsellor, and has over eighteen years experience in her own consultancy, and has assisted in developing supervision, coaching and mentoring programmes. Her present focus is short and long term counselling, supervising students and experienced practitioners, and consultancy to supervisors and trainee supervisors.
 
Kate Vallance works in private practice as a supervisor, counsellor and consultant. She has her own consultancy company working across private, public and voluntary sectors and consulting on a variety of issues, including stress, career development and providing supervision and coaching. She has experience lecturing in counselling skills and has conducted research into experiences of supervision.
'This team of experienced trainers of supervisors have filled an important lacuna in the literature. They have spelled out clearly and systematically what new practitioners can expect and should demand from supervision, thus bridging effectively the gap between theory and practice, and reflection and support. It's hard to imagine any training courses not having this practical and career-advancing book on lists of required reading.' - Colin Feltham, Emeritus Professor of Critical Counselling Studies at Sheffield Hallam University and Associate Professor of Humanistic Psychology at the University of Southern Denmark.
 
'Written by four authors who are clearly steeped in the processes of counselling, psychotherapy and supervision, this is a very readable, accessible book written in an informal style that captures the supervisory experience very well. The book weaves its way beautifully between theory and practice, the authors translating their theoretical knowledge into practical strategies for both supervisees and supervisors. Throughout the many relevant examples bring the theory to life and bring life to supervision. Getting the Most from Supervision is a valuable resource book for supervisors and supervisees and particularly for their collaboration together in the contexts in which they work. Overall, this book will make a valuable contribution to the supervision literature and even more so to the rather scarce help for supervisees on how to use supervision effectively. The way it is written: the content, the examples, the areas covered blend well to produce an excellent resource that will be useful for many years to come.' - Michael Carroll Ph.D., Visiting Industrial Professor, University of Bristol, UK.

'This book is a valuable addition to the topic of supervision on any counsellor's bookshelves. The book's stated focus is the experience of the supervisee, and this sets it apart from other books on how to do supervision, which are aimed mostly at the supervisor. The book offers some thought-provoking dialogue and appropriate prompts to reflection.' - Carole Gordon, Emeritus Lecturer, University of Aberdeen, UK.

'This book provides a clear, accessible and comprehensive overview of what it means to be a supervisee, taking a different approach to many other texts that focus on the perspective of the supervisor. At the end of the book I was left with a clear picture of the scope and complexity of supervision, its role and function; how vital this relationship is for practitioners, their clients and the profession, and how supervisees can take responsibility for getting professional needs met both in supervision and beyond.' - Frances Lampert, Counsellor and Supervisor