What is clinical supervision?
Short answer
Clinical supervision is the regular meeting in which a psychologist brings their practice to be discussed with a more experienced professional. It serves to sharpen the work and support difficult clinical decisions — and it happens without exposing the identity of the person being seen.
Not a sign of inexperience
Supervision is standard practice and not limited to early career. Many experienced professionals keep supervision or take part in case discussion groups throughout their working lives.
During training it is mandatory: all placement work happens under supervision.
What about confidentiality?
Case discussion in supervision is recognised as a legitimate part of professional practice and does not break confidentiality, provided it is conducted without exposing the person’s identity. The supervisor is bound by the same duty.
Frequently asked questions
- Is supervision the same as personal therapy?
- No. Supervision addresses the clinical work; personal therapy addresses the life of the person doing it. They coexist and do not replace each other.