Mastering Therapy

S4E3: Clinical Supervision PART 2: The Bits Nobody Taught You | Dr Paul Grantham

Mastering Therapy

Show Notes

S4E3: Clinical Supervision PART 2: The Bits Nobody Taught You | Dr Paul Grantham EPISODE SUMMARY What really makes supervision high quality, and why do most of us avoid thinking about it until there’s a complaint on the horizon? In this episode, Dr. Natalie Stott and Dr Paul Grantham wade into the murky waters of supervision for therapists—shining a light on everything from note-taking and record keeping to supervision of supervision (yes, it’s a thing). Listen in as they pick apart the shoulds, coulds, and musts of being a supervisor, who should keep the notes, what to do when things go off-piste, and how private practice is a whole different kettle of fish. Plenty here for supervisors and supervisees alike, plus a nod to models like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for good measure. TIMESTAMPS 00:00:02 – Why supervision matters (and what nobody tells you) 00:01:57 – How to become a supervisor, and does accreditation matter? 00:04:10 – Bridging theory and practice: why ongoing support trumps a certificate 00:05:42 – Supervision of supervisors: why “peer groups” aren’t just for show 00:10:48 – How supervisors can (accidentally) do real harm 00:14:58 – Supervision records and notes: who keeps them, who gets to see them, and why it matters 00:20:12 – How much experience do you really need before supervising others? 00:23:04 – The markers of a genuinely good supervisor 00:26:01 – What supervisees should do if their gut says “something’s not right” 00:29:45 – Training, resources, and the elusive ‘perfect supervisor’

KEY TAKEAWAYS • Choose supervision courses that are third-party accredited if you want real quality control—anyone can call themselves a supervisor, but not all courses are equal. • Peer supervision groups are helpful, but having an external, experienced facilitator can turn “that’s interesting…” into real professional growth. • Private practice supervisors risk creating echo chambers—seek out challenge, not just comfort. • Keep supervision records: treat them like client notes, ensure they’re agreed upon by both supervisor and supervisee, and know under what conditions they might be accessed. • Good contracts should specify who holds the records, when they can be released, and include a process for conflict (consider a “grandparent” supervisor). • For ethical dilemmas and fitness-to-practice queries, clear note-keeping protects everyone—don’t rely on memory when the court calls. • Supervision of supervision prevents stagnation and isolation and helps supervisors tackle challenges they missed in training. GUEST Dr Paul Grantham A seasoned psychologist and clinical supervisor who runs one of the few independent, BPS-accredited supervision training courses. Draws on decades of experience with clinical supervision in both organisational and private practice settings. RESOURCES • SDS Seminars: info and supervision courses – [LINK] • David Milne’s book: Evidence-Based Clinical Supervision – [LINK] CALL TO ACTION Subscribe to the podcast and join the mailing list for more CPD essentials, supervision tips, and frank discussion—minus the fluff. DISCLAIMER For education only. Not a substitute for professional supervision or clinical judgement. Guest Information: Social media: Website:

Resources mentioned:

Free Editable Supervision Contract Evidence-Based Clinical Supervision: Principles and Practice | Wiley SDS Seminars: info and supervision courses –

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