“The Sorcerer and the Apprentice”

Abstract

Clinical supervision of counselling and psychotherapeutic work performed in a district general adult psychiatric service is examined. Most staff received regular supervision, usually having more than one source of supervision. Paired peer supervision, within a discipline, was the commonest structure. Supervision was mainly focused in two areas, on interventions made by the therapist, and examining the therapeutic relationship. Most staff had confidence in their supervision, but those who had not discussed a supervision contract were significantly less likely to be satisfied with their supervision.