SUPERvision

In the coaching landscape, what is SUPERvision?

SUPERvision is a place which enables the coach or mentor coach to receive professional support and guidance in an open, safe reflective space.  The aim of SUPERvision is to develop the competence and capabilities of the coach, and to provide opportunities for the coach to process the experiences they have with their clients.  It largely focuses on, but is not limited to, resourcing, restoring and benchmarking.

International Coaching Psychology Review (Tkach and DiGirolamo, 2020), identified the following benefits for coaches who receive regular SUPERvision:

  • Increased self-awareness
  • Greater confidence
  • Increased objectivity
  • Heightened sense of belonging
  • Reduced feelings of isolation
  • Increased resourcefulness

As a holder of an European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC) Global Supervision Individual Award (ESIA) jigsaw.coach, Caroline Beckett, is a credentialed, certified SUPERvisor who works one-to-one and with groups of clients up to mastery level.

How does EMCC define SUPERvision and its importance?

EMCC define supervision as, “the interaction that occurs when a mentor or coach brings their coaching or mentoring work experiences to a supervisor to be supported and to engage in reflective dialogue and collaborative learning for the development and benefit of the mentor or coach, their clients and their organisations.”  EMCC take supervision very seriously as part of continued professional development and endorses a ration of of 1:35, one supervision for every thirty five coaching sessions delivered.  More information about the EMCC SUPERvision competencies and guidelines can be found here.

What does ICF say about SUPERvision?

International Coaching Federation (ICF) states that, “Coaching Supervision is a collaborative learning practice to continually build the capacity of the coach through reflective dialogue for the benefit of both coaches and clients. Coaching Supervision focuses on the development of the coach’s capacity through offering a richer and broader opportunity for support and development. Coaching Supervision creates a safe environment for the coach to share their successes and failures in becoming masterful in the way they work with their clients.”

What about ICF coaches looking for ACTC certification?

For coaches looking to apply for ICF Advanced Certification in Team Coaching (ACTC) will need to undertake five hours of supervision with a coach, like Caroline, who is a trained SUPERvisor.  ICF states that this is due to, “the complexities of team coaching practice and the intensity of team dynamics.”  More information about ICF’s stance on SUPERvision can be found here.

What broad areas might be covered in SUPERvision?

The list is not exhaustive, and SUPERvision may focus around areas of the coach’s:

  • Emotional wellbeing
  • Skills, knowledge and ability
  • Professional standards, ethical behaviours and ethical issues
  • Understanding of the patterns and themes developing
  • Progress in letting go of mentoring habits
  • Abilities in working systemically, addressing conflicting needs of stakeholders
  • ‘Difficult’ sessions or clients
  • Robust contracting
  • Parallel processes
  • Reflective practice and objective perspectives
  • Feelings around imposter syndrome and stepping into authority.

Why invest in SUPERvision? 

In short, SUPERvision is an essential component of continuing professional development.  It ensures an investment in you as a coach or mentor coach and provides an invaluable opportunity to actively reflect and evaluate practice while seeking guidance and expertise when required.

Caroline has a wealth of experience across contexts, continents and cultures so make use the contact form today to enquire how jigsaw.coach can work with you in SUPERvision sessions to enhance your professional practice, competencies and confidence.

Thank you so much Caroline for your encouragement and your input.  Working with you as my supervisor and training me through supervision has been an enjoyable experience for me. I have been looking forward to every training session, and had valuable takeaways for myself. I loved the way you held space for each one of us and facilitated every session.Rekha Radhakrishnan Upadhyay, Founder of Enso Celtic Leadership, ICF PCC, India

I reached out to Caroline to support me with Team Coaching Supervision as I pursued my ACTC Credential from the ICF. Caroline is an academic, master-certified coach with many years of global experience which is what drew me to her. Caroline was able to understand the context of being an academic myself, coaching student teams at the graduate level and was able to guide me towards the competencies necessary to achieve my ACTC credential. Caroline created a safe and authentic space, gently challenged me, was focused on my future vision and came to coaching fully each time we met. I gained so much working with her and I am so happy she has been part of my journey. She is just brilliant.Maureen Clarke, Founder – The Blueprint Group and Associate Faculty Royal Roads University, British Columbia, Canada

If you are keen to find out more, contact Caroline to discuss how SUPERvision can contribute to your professional development.