Differences Between Providing Therapy and Clinical Supervision
By Nikka Alma
As mental health professionals, many of us wear multiple hats. We often transition from providing direct therapy to our clients to offering supervision to newer therapists or trainees. While both roles are crucial in the field of mental health, they require distinct skills, approaches, and mindsets. In this blog we will delve into the key differences between providing therapy and supervision, exploring their unique challenges and rewards.
The Primary Focus: Client vs. Therapist
Let’s start with the most obvious difference between therapy and clinical supervision, which is who you are working with:
Therapy
When providing therapy, the primary focus is on the client. The goal is to support the client’s mental health, helping them navigate personal challenges, develop coping strategies, and achieve emotional well-being. Therapists create a safe, non-judgmental space where clients can explore their thoughts and feelings, process trauma, and work towards personal growth.
Supervision
In supervision, the focus shifts to the therapist or trainee. The aim is to guide and support the supervisees in their professional development, ensuring they provide ethical and effective therapy to their clients. Supervisors help supervisees reflect on their cases, develop clinical skills, and navigate the complexities of therapeutic work. It’s about fostering the growth of the therapist, rather than addressing personal issues directly.
The Nature of the Relationship: Therapeutic vs. Professional
Regardless if you are conducting therapy or clinical supervision, there is a relationship between yourself and the other person you’re working with, but the relationship differs in each discipline:
Therapy
The therapeutic relationship is characterized by empathy, trust, and a deep emotional connection. Therapists strive to build a strong alliance with their clients, which is essential for effective therapy. This relationship is often more intimate and personal, as clients share their deepest thoughts and vulnerabilities.
Supervision
The supervisory relationship is more professional and educational. While empathy and support are still important, the focus is on professional growth and skill development. Supervisors provide feedback, guidance, and mentorship, fostering a learning environment where supervisees can develop confidence and competence in their clinical practice.
Goals and Outcomes: Personal Growth vs. Professional Development
Both clients and supervisees enter into therapy or supervision with goals in mind. Here are the differences in their goals:
Therapy
The goals of therapy are tailored to the individual needs of the client. These may include improving mental health, developing coping strategies, resolving trauma, or achieving personal goals.
Supervision
The goals of supervision are centered on the supervisee’s professional development. These include enhancing clinical skills, ensuring ethical practice, and preparing for independent practice. Successful supervision results in a more competent, confident therapist who is capable of providing high-quality care to their clients.
Approach and Techniques: Therapeutic Interventions vs. Educational Methods
Different approaches regarding techniques and in-session interventions are needed for therapy versus supervision:
Therapy
Therapists use a range of therapeutic interventions based on the client’s needs and the therapist’s theoretical orientation. These may include cognitive-behavioral techniques, psychodynamic exploration, mindfulness practices, or other evidence-based methods. The focus is on facilitating the client’s emotional and psychological healing.
Supervision
Supervisors employ educational methods and reflective practices to facilitate the supervisee’s learning. This might include case discussions, role-playing, modeling therapeutic techniques, and providing constructive feedback. The aim is to enhance the supervisee’s clinical skills and professional judgment.
Ethical Considerations: Dual Relationships vs. Boundaries in Supervision
Both therapy and supervision prioritize ethics, but with different focuses:
Therapy
Ethical practice in therapy involves maintaining clear boundaries to avoid dual relationships and ensure the client’s best interests are prioritized. Therapists must navigate confidentiality, informed consent, and other ethical issues with sensitivity and care.
Supervision
Supervisors also need to maintain clear boundaries, but the focus is on the supervisee’s professional and ethical development. Supervisors must be aware of the power dynamics in the supervisory relationship and strive to create an environment where supervisees feel safe to discuss their challenges and mistakes.
Emotional Impact: Secondary Trauma vs. Professional Fulfillment
Just as it’s challenging to be a therapist, it’s also difficult to provide supervision, and there are also wins to doing either:
Therapy
Providing therapy can be emotionally taxing. Therapists often experience secondary trauma, compassion fatigue, or burnout from working with clients who have experienced significant trauma or distress. Self-care and supervision are critical to managing these emotional impacts.
Supervision
While supervision can also be emotionally demanding, it often brings a sense of professional fulfillment. Helping a supervisee grow and develop as a therapist can be incredibly rewarding. However, supervisors must also be mindful of their own boundaries and self-care needs to avoid burnout.
Personal Experience and Reflection
Reflecting on my own journey, I’ve found that both therapy and supervision offer unique rewards and challenges. When I’m in the therapist’s chair, I’m deeply invested in my clients’ personal growth and well-being. There’s a profound sense of connection and empathy, but also a significant emotional toll.
In contrast, being a supervisee allows me to step into a more learning and sharing place. I imagine it’s quite fulfilling for supervisors to see a supervisee grow in confidence and competence.
Balancing Both Roles
Balancing the roles of therapist and supervisor requires flexibility and adaptability. It’s important to recognize when to shift gears from the empathetic, client-focused approach of therapy to the educational, professional focus of supervision. Clear boundaries, ongoing training, and self-care are essential to managing both roles effectively.
Conclusion
While providing therapy and supervision share some common elements, they are distinct roles with different focuses, goals, and approaches. Therapy centers on the client’s personal growth and emotional well-being, while supervision focuses on the professional development of the therapist. Both are crucial in the field of mental health, and both require a commitment to ethical practice, ongoing learning, and self-care. Understanding and embracing these differences can enhance our effectiveness and satisfaction in both roles, ultimately leading to better outcomes for clients and supervisees alike.
How we can help
If you are seeking online clinical supervision or clinical consultation, reach out for a Free 20-minute Phone Consultation today! We can match you with the best-fit supervisor for you, and start supporting your professional development right away.
Author Bio
Nikka Alma is a trained therapist and the primary admin assistant for Firelight Supervision. She responds to our email and phone inquiries and answers any questions you may have. She also can recommend a clinical supervisor who will be a good fit for you! Follow Firelight Supervision on Instagram and Facebook.
