As a Clinical Psychologist and Personal Construct (PCP) supervisor and teacher, it may seem odd for me to be writing about this book, which ostensibly is aimed at a different audience. There is quite a wide overlap in interests, however, and a fair proportion of my PCP colleagues have a professional background in speech and … Read more
On 23th November 2024 we launched Supervision in Speech and Language Therapy: Personal Stories and Professional Wisdom, an anthology of personal narratives that aims to stimulate reflection on contemporary issues in supervision as well as individual, service and organisational supervision culture and practice. Co-editors Cathy Sparkes, Sam Simpson and Deborah Harding enjoyed a stimulating evening … Read more
Through my work in the medico-legal sector, I have the privilege of working with a particularly amazing group of professionals, who provide essential, close and constant support to my clients who have an acquired brain injury (ABI). Their title might vary – carer, buddy, support worker, personal assistant or rehabilitation assistant (RA to be used … Read more
For the last 3 years I have been supervised externally by someone not in my profession. I hadn’t thought anything of how this may differ from previous supervision at the time of seeking it – I was more interested in receiving supervision from someone independent from my workplace, their profession didn’t really come in to … Read more
A second lockdown… I wanted to write this during the first, but it was just too hard and overwhelming. It was busier, weightier and harder than it has ever been. It has also been extremely rewarding. Gratitude has been an ongoing thread and theme of this pandemic, for some, if they have had capacity to … Read more
When training as a speech therapist (the title at that time), I loved my practice placements and when, in due course, I began my career, it was with youthful confidence and perhaps a little arrogance. I might not have been paying attention, but I don’t recall supervision or reflective practice featuring in my university lectures … Read more
I have been fortunate to have access to strong supervision throughout the majority of my speech and language therapy life. Reflecting on my supervision journey the high points have been when I have had a solid relationship with my supervisor; when the supervisor has been someone I have trusted and respected, and whom I have … Read more
Today, I am a 68-year-old retired Speech and Language Therapist, enjoying a fulfilling life encompassing a number of roles: wife, mother, grandmother, artist and volunteer in two groups for stroke survivors with communication impairment. Six years ago I was struggling with the concept of retiring from a hectic Band 8 SLT post in a large … Read more
For many years supervision was largely an unrewarding and functional experience for me. Initially, the focus felt skills driven, such as meeting standards and competencies. As I progressed, it became almost all about management expectations with little space to develop my personal and professional skills. There was little consistency to build a trusting relationship with … Read more
Supervision. A word that used to fill me with confusion and at times anxiety. What do I say? How do I react? What are they thinking? Am I saying the wrong thing? Is this topic supervision-worthy? These were just some of the thoughts that used to swim around in my mind before and after the … Read more