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Primary-care mental-health workers’ views of clinical supervision

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 October 2011

Kenneth M. McFadyen*
Affiliation:
South Staffordshire & Shropshire NHS Healthcare Foundation Trust – Primary Care Mental Health, Wombourne, South Staffordshire, UK
Jurai Darongkamas
Affiliation:
South Staffordshire & Shropshire NHS Healthcare Foundation Trust – Primary Care Mental Health, Wombourne, South Staffordshire, UK
Ross Crowther-Green
Affiliation:
South Staffordshire & Shropshire NHS Healthcare Foundation Trust – Primary Care Mental Health, Wombourne, South Staffordshire, UK
Olivia Williams
Affiliation:
South Staffordshire & Shropshire NHS Healthcare Foundation Trust – Primary Care Mental Health, Wombourne, South Staffordshire, UK
*
*Author for correspondence: Dr K. M. McFadyen, South Staffordshire & Shropshire NHS Healthcare Foundation Trust – Primary Care Mental Health, St David's House, Planks Lane, Wombourne, South Staffordshire WV5 8DU, UK. (email: ken.mcfadyen@nhs.net)

Abstract

Clinical supervision is an essential component of psychological work with clients. This article presents views of a group of primary-care mental-health workers on the introduction of clinical supervision. A focus group interview was analysed. The key themes extracted were: the supervisor's approach that provided an educative, safe, boundaried space that allowed exploration, support and validation; the advantages and disadvantages of group supervision; helpful and unhelpful ingredients of supervision; the governance and facilitative functions of supervision; and the dangers inherent in not having supervision for both client and worker. Key recommendations are made encompassing: training in supervision and a psychological approach; encouraging theory–practice consolidation; balancing competency with curiosity; and reviewing supervision regularly. Limitations of the study are also discussed.

Type
Education and supervision
Copyright
Copyright © British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies 2011

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