Professional version
Offers theory, guidance, and prompts for mental health professionals. Downloads are in Fillable PDF format where appropriate.
Process Model Of Supervision
This information handout is based on Hawkins and Shohet’s (2012) process model of supervision, supporting exploration across seven key supervision areas.
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Overview
Hawkins & Shohet (2012) proposed a helpful structure for reflecting upon the focus of a supervision session. This information sheet includes example questions to guide exploration of the seven areas outlined by the model.
Why Use This Resource?
The Process Model Of Supervision is a useful tool for both supervisors and supervisees that can guide and inform the supervision process.
- Supports exploration of client difficulties and interventions.
- Highlights valuable areas for discussion.
- Encourages reflection and strategic intervention.
Key Benefits
Informative
Guides supervision discussions.
Broad
Considers seven key supervisory areas.
Reflective
Promotes thoughtful reflection and self-awareness.
Contextual
Considers systemic and organizational factors influencing therapy.
Who is this for?
Clinical Supervisors
Informs the supervision planning and provision.
Supervisees
Supports therapists making use of supervision.
Theoretical Background & Therapist Guidance
Clinical supervision is an essential part of therapeutic practice. It provides a structured environment for therapists to reflect on their work, ensuring safe and ethical practices, enhancing the quality of the therapies they offer, and promoting their professional development.
The Hawkins and Shohet (2012) process model of supervision adds both depth and flexibility to the supervision process. This model acknowledges that both therapy and supervision are complex relational systems, where learning and change can happen at various levels.
It focuses on seven key areas, including attention to the client, therapeutic interventions, the therapist's inner experience, and the broader systemic context. By considering these interconnected layers, the model fosters a comprehensive understanding of therapeutic work. It enables supervisors and supervisees to navigate between technical, relational, emotional, and contextual perspectives, ultimately deepening their insight and effectiveness.
What's inside
- A detailed breakdown of the seven focus areas within supervision.
- Sample questions to facilitate exploration and discussion.
- Key references and recommended further reading.
FAQs
The process model of supervision is a framework for examining key aspects of clinical practice and supervision.
The model can guide supervision sessions by encouraging exploration of focal areas using the provided questions, promoting deeper discussion and reflection.
It offers a structured yet flexible way to explore their clinical work from multiple perspectives, deepening insight, enhancing relational awareness, and supporting professional development.
How This Resource Improves Clinical Outcomes
By integrating this resource into their practice, therapists benefit from:
- A useful framework that can guide and inform clinical supervision.
- Consideration of multiple relational and systemic factors that are relevant to providing therapy.
- Deeper and more reflective understanding of both client and supervisory relationships.
References And Further Reading
- Hawkins, P ., Shohet, R. (2012). Supervision in the helping professions (supervision in context). Open University Press.
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