Why supervision is important in counselling

Supervision is an essential part of being a counsellor, yet it is sometimes misunderstood and underused. For some, it’s just another box to tick on a long list of obligations. For others, it’s an essential source of support. And for some, supervision feels frustrating—a space that doesn’t quite meet their needs.

When approached creatively, however, supervision can become an important, inspiring space that breathes life into your practice— and yes, supervision can be playful too.

Supervision is a safe conversation between two practitioners

Supervision is a relationship—a professional conversation between two practitioners. A good supervisor offers not only guidance and expertise but also trust, respect, and warmth. When supervision feels safe, you are more likely to take risks, be honest about your struggles, and embrace new ideas.

Supervision offers a vital opportunity to pause and reflect on your practice. But how can you reflect if you don’t feel heard? How can you explore doubts if you feel judged? If you don’t know how to use the space and you are afraid of failure?

I know this from personal experience. Early in my career, I had a supervisor who misinterpreted everything I said, leaving me feeling anxious and inadequate. Instead of growing, I began to second-guess my instincts and question myself. Fortunately, I managed to wave goodbye to this supervisor—after 9 long months!—and found a new one who provided what I needed: encouragement, safety, honest reflection. I’ve learnt much in the following years, and now, as a supervisor, I strive to create a space where supervisees feel safe to explore their practice and vulnerabilities without being afraid of feeling judged, relying on their inner knowing to guide the process.

Supervision can be playful

I offer creative supervision because it encourages you to step outside your usual thinking patterns and access new insights. By bypassing your logical mind, you can gain access to the wisdom of your body, imagination, and daydream states. In creative supervision, the unexpected often leads to the most valuable insights. By embracing imagination, movement, or storytelling, supervision becomes an energising space where you can feel curious, hopeful, and inspired.

Some examples include:

• Using metaphor: Imagining a client’s situation as a story or symbol can offer fresh insights. Perhaps you feel like a lion protecting a highly anxious client-deer. Exploring these images can reveal unconscious patterns and new ways forward.

• Role-play and experimentation: Stepping into your client’s shoes — or even embodying different parts of yourself or them— can provide powerful insights into relational dynamics and unspoken emotions.

• Playfulness in practice: Supervision doesn’t have to be serious all the time. Adding an element of play can create lightness, spark ideas, and bring energy back into your work.

Creative supervision is important and more than just fun—it creates new experiences that can shift your beliefs. What you believe will manifest in your life. By imagining new possibilities in your practice, you pave the way for real change, while always protecting your client’s autonomy and journey.

Supervision is important to prevent burnout and compassion fatigue

Unfortunately, despite all your best intentions, you haven’t got a magic wand, and some clients will resist your help or remain stuck. This can be very discouraging, especially if you feel responsible for their progress. When this happens, it is important to have a safe space where you can share your frustrations, lower your expectations, and recognise the limits of what you can do.

Counselling can be emotionally demanding, and over time, holding space for difficult emotions can take its toll. Compassion fatigue is real—and often underestimated. Supervision offers a space to share that load, ensuring that you don’t carry it alone, and to explore ways in which you can nourish yourself. By feeling seen, supported, and heard, you can regain your sense of purpose and reinvigorate your passion for your work.

Supervision is important to help you strengthen your skills

Supervision is also an active learning space. While CPD, books, and courses offer valuable knowledge, supervision allows you to integrate what you learn into your practice. Creative, process-based supervision, especially, provides a space where you can:

·         Discover meanings behind your clients’ words

·         Discuss ethical dilemmas

·         Exploring whether what you are carrying is yours, or your clients

·         Practise responses to challenging client situations

in a way that can help you feel more confident and capable. Creative supervision invites you to experiment in a safe environment — a safe space to experiment, build confidence, and expand your therapeutic skills.

An experienced therapist as a supervisor can also point you toward helpful resources — interesting books, courses, or ideas — that you may not have discovered otherwise.

Supervision is important and more than a professional obligation — it’s a place to learn, reflect, and grow. When you feel safe enough to bring your questions, doubts, and creativity into the room, supervision becomes a powerful resource that nurtures both you and your clients.

By embracing imagination, metaphor, and playfulness, supervision can become a space of discovery — one that breathes new life into your practice and reminds you why you chose this path in the first place.