Sea Change - Coaching and Supervision by Sheila Ryan

All kinds of people need supervision: Read my contribution to this collection

Practitioners working in the helping professions realise the importance of supervision as a space for: reflection; compassionate inquiry; and continuing professional development. This book presents examples of good practice which will help readers to enhance their own supervisory relationships.

Robin Shohet brings together supervisors from the fields of consultancy, education, coaching, psychotherapy, youth work and homeopathy, many of whom have been supervising for over 20 years. The contributors explain why supervision continues to be just as important as when they first started, and describe how and why they have managed to stay passionate about their chosen career. The book features numerous case examples to illustrate the different perspectives, demonstrating that supervision is essential and rewarding in a variety of professions.

Passionate Supervision is a valuable resource for anyone working in the helping professions, for whom supervision is an integral part of their work.

Click here to read the full chapter

Introduction to Chapter 4

Sheila's focus is on the quality of looking we bring to supervision whether of the individual or the system. She reminds us that we can't look again at anything if we can't remember what happened in the first place, and we can't move on, make a shift, unless we know where we are now. Mindful supervision pays attention to what is happening and notices our tendencies to edit, censor and shape experience to fit preconceived ideas. Sheila sees supervision as a chance to perceive experience afresh.

When I asked Sheila what she most wanted the reader to gain from reading the chapter she said:

Courage: In literally stopping for a breather, we can re-connect with that rage of the heart that gets us up every day to practise our helping and healing arts.
In pausing myself to write this chapter, I've gained fresh insight into what moves me - and that's hardly a comfortable knowing. But it gets me back in touch with what's real, with what I know from experience, and that restores courage to stand ground and to act. And the action now comes from a more vulnerable and a more truthful place. And that is a powerful act. The invitation to you is to pause for breath and inquire within of your own true things

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