My Personal Reflections as a Supervisee within my Closed Group Supervision
The Language of the Unconscious
There's something profound about working with a supervisor who understands that our deepest insights rarely emerge through linear, conscious thought alone. In our closed group sessions, I've come to appreciate how expressive therapies create a bridge between what we know intellectually and what we feel intuitively. When we engage in creative exercises through guided imagery—I notice how different parts of myself surface.
I remember one session where I found myself drawing a bright yellow sun. The unconscious had spoken through my hands. It wasn't until we processed this together within the group that I realised how much I needed to connect with the solar plexus chakra; its resemblance to power. It is also the foundation of my business logo; a logo my daughter’s best friend designed for me, at a time that I was going through personal relationship breakdown, and the school I was working at was closing. The solar plexus chakra was what I meditated on, every day. This somatic knowing, this body wisdom, has become invaluable in my practice. I've learned to pay attention to the subtle signals—the tightness in my chest when certain topics arise, the way my breathing changes when I'm avoiding something important and guiding and modelling this in supervision with my supervisees.
Working with the unconscious in this group setting has taught me that supervision is about integration; of professional insights and personal healing.
Building Trust and Sharing Personal Struggles and Celebrating Wins
The closed nature of our group has allowed trust to develop organically over time. There's now a palpable willingness to be vulnerable. We've witnessed each other's heartache over difficult cases, and supported one another through personal crises that inevitably impact our professional work. We also share victories!
Familiarity - Freedom to Relax Into the Space and Take Our Counsellor Hats Off
Perhaps one of the most significant gifts of this closed group format is the permission to simply be human. In my daily work, I'm constantly "on"—monitoring my language, maintaining appropriate boundaries, managing my emotional responses. In our supervision group, I can exhale. I can admit when I feel overwhelmed, when I've made mistakes, or when I simply don't know what to do next.
This familiarity has created a sanctuary where we can process not just our professional challenges but how they intersect with our personal lives. This freedom translates into my work with my supervisees. Having a space where I can be authentic and imperfect makes way for them to do the same.
Supportive - Colleagues Sharing Their Experiences and Offering Possible Solutions
The support in our group goes beyond emotional validation, though that's certainly present and crucial. What I've found most valuable is the collaborative problem-solving that emerges naturally from shared experience. We hear from each other, brainstorm practical interventions, and share approaches I hadn't thought of.
This support feels particularly powerful because it comes from people who truly understand the context and constraints within which we work. This closed group supervision model has become far more than professional development—it's been a journey of personal and professional integration that has made me a more effective, authentic, and resilient counsellor and supervisor.