A Creative-embodied approach to Supervision

What are creative-embodied processes in supervision? 

Creative-embodied processes deepen and enrich your reflective practice in supervision.

I work with imagery and metaphor, via drawing, creative writing and dance/movement, to support you to ‘reflect outside of the box’, make new connections and uncover meaning.

You will explore your feeling and sensory responses to the client material that you bring, developing somatic awareness and drawing from the wisdom of the body.

Why trauma-informed?

Trauma is held in the body and affects most of the clients that we work with. Attending to your own relationship with your body offers firm ground from which to attune to clients; sense, feel and hold the material that they bring; and co-regulate together effectively.

Who is Creative Clinical Supervision for?

My approach is ideal for Dance/Movement Psychotherapists who want to explore their client work through dance and movement and their understanding of embodiment.

It suits Creative Arts Therapists who have an interest in body-orientated ways of working and are keen to pair this with a range of creative mediums, as well as their own specialisms.

Therapists from other approaches may be drawn to what creativity and working with the body can offer into their reflective practice and professional development.

Creative Arts Practitioners and Community Dance Artists may feel that they need a space to explore their feelings and what is coming up for them as they hold spaces and deliver creative work in community settings.

THEORETICAL ORIENTATION

integrative, transpersonal, creative-embodied, process-orientated, person-centred

SPECIALISM:

trauma, adult mental health, women, 1-1 & groups

ACCREDITATION

ADMP & UKCPt registered, Qualified  in Creative-Embodied Approaches to Supervision, MA in Dance/Movement Psychotherapy

What is a session like? 

I see supervision as an oasis in which to pause and rest, question and reflect; a fertile space in which to replenish and grow as a therapist.

You will be guided to reflect on your work through a variety of lenses.

Some supervisees choose to work directly with an artistic medium – such as dance/movement, drawing, storytelling or voice work – and explore what is revealed through the-creative embodied process.

Others prefer to reflect verbally, but with a layer of attention given to the felt sense, to sensations in the body present as they speak, or to metaphor and imagery that arise in the talking, pointing to the unfolding process present in supervision.

Usually a range of methods are used throughout sessions.

What is the focus of supervision?

Clinical Supervision may cover your clinical caseload or community project, institutional context and personal and professional development.

I prioritise professional self-care and self-resourcing, for your own wellbeing and as an ethical stance to mitigate against vicarious trauma and burnout.

Clinical supervision includes:

  • critical reflection on client material;
  • developing skills;
  • exploring feelings in relation to the work
  • examining responses within the therapeutic relationship;
  • learning from mistakes and being supportively challenged; 
  • self-resourcing to mitigate against burnout;
  • exploring the setting of the work and wider professional considerations.

I supervise in person in Halifax, UK and online. Email me with any questions, or to arrange a free 30 minute phone call / Zoom consultation.

  TESTIMONIALS  

Dance/Movement Psychotherapist Supervisee:

As a recent DMP graduate, having a knowledgably and supportive supervisor has been crucial to my development.  Anna has been a great guide, as I have embarked on my journey into paid work. She has helped me see great value in my work which has enabled me to build my confidence. I love the way she brings creative exploration into the supervision process, once more involving the body, felt sense and the unconscious. These creative explorations have supported me to gain greater understanding of my clients and their needs. She also takes great consideration over my wellbeing and the importance of looking after the therapist’s body in order to be able to work and offer my clients the best experience. I look forward to our sessions and always come away feeling positive and able to move forward with my work.

Art Therapist Supervisee

Anna has been my clinical supervisor for the past 6 months and I have found our sessions professional, encouraging and useful. Supervision has enabled me to voice my feelings and concerns about my work/client issues and our discussions/reflective work have helped me learn ways to improve my therapeutic practice.
 
Anna uses a range of techniques in supervision such as reflective art making, role play and breathing/grounding techniques. As an Art therapist, I have found this multidisciplinary approach helpful and I have been learning ways to integrate them into my own practice. 
 
 

Sensing Body, Sensing Spirit’ Workshop Participant

Anna is the most brilliant and gifted presenter / facilitator / teacher. She comes over to the participants in the most warm and engaging way (with great sensitivity and empathy with how they might be feeling etc), while at the same time leading everyone gently and clearly in a way that inspires confidence. Anna, I think you are outstanding in the way you led the sessions. Respect.

I learnt (once again) the enormous spiritual and emotional power of (in many cases) what appear to be the most simple of physical movements and actions. The way in which simple breath rhythms and hand movements can evoke wholistic and integrating experiences and thought patterns, which are very positive, illuminating and quite surprising in terms of where you begin and finally end up. Something very profound is happening. I was left with the question what even greater possibilities are possible with more time and exploration?