Three Questions for Therapists to Consider When Choosing Supervision Groups
Supervision is a fun and functional foundation of ethical and practical therapy practice. As a lifelong learner, I’m interested in learning how to navigate the complex landscape of trauma and nervous system responses.
My supervision groups blend psychoeducation and practical applications of information for therapeutic practice. Working as a therapist can often be isolating; I depend on supervision groups to provide social balance in my work and help me remain current and inspired by the rapid and evolving landscape of mental health and wellness. Here are my suggestions for three critical considerations when selecting supervision groups to align with professional and personal growth goals.
1. Will This Group Expand My Scope of Practice?
Ideally, a supervision group will allow you to deepen your understanding and expertise while refining your therapeutic approaches before investing a lot of time and money in certification. For instance, a supervision group focused on trauma and nervous system responses will offer a new language or framework for conceptualizing how dysregulation manifests in clients (Levine, 2010). A three-hour supervision group can help you integrate language and dabble with interventions from modalities such as polyvagal theory, somatic experiencing, or trauma-focused cognitive-behavioural therapy. Your three-hour investment can expand your range of interventions, helping you decide whether to invest in certification and offer other ways to meet your client's needs.
Participating in a supervision group emphasizing research-backed practices offers insight into client case conceptualization and creative ways to use evidence-based care. We must remember that our collective and scientific understanding of trauma is continually evolving. A thoughtfully structured supervision group can help you stay at the forefront of this vital work.
Key Benefit: Supervision Groups designed with evidence-based research provide therapists with a rich framework for understanding client care and will expand your repertoire of interventions to support health and wellness within your practice.
2. Does This Group Build Professional Connections in a Meaningful Way?
Therapeutic work can be isolating, and a supervision group can help. It creates an environment to connect with like-minded colleagues who understand the complexities of this field. Peer collaboration in groups encourages mutual learning and professional validation and fosters a sense of belonging to the community. Meaningful connections with colleagues enhance your practice by providing opportunities for social regulation. When therapists feel supported and grounded, they are better equipped to offer the same stability to their clients, which is vital when working with trauma (Porges, 2011). Supervision groups, especially when connecting regularly, will become a place where you leave feeling recharged and inspired, professionally and personally.
Key Benefit: Establishing meaningful professional relationships reduces isolation and enhances your capacity for empathy and engagement with clients.
3. Will This Group Provide Opportunity For Practice?
Learning about new interventions is invaluable, but the chance to apply them in a supervised setting makes the experience transformative. Supervision groups that include case consultations, role-playing exercises, or practical feedback sessions ensure learning skills are immediately actionable.
For example, a group focusing on trauma and nervous system responses might help you practice somatic techniques for grounding clients or navigating a dysregulated nervous system during a session. This hands-on approach enhances your confidence and accelerates your ability to integrate new methods into your work.
Key Benefit: Supervision groups that include time to practice allow you to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world application, ensuring that you can apply what you learn directly to your client care.
My Vision for Supervision Groups in 2025
I’ve designed my 2025 supervision groups with these three considerations in mind. Each group is crafted to help therapists expand their scope of practice, build meaningful connections, and practice innovative therapeutic approaches. By emphasizing trauma-informed care, nervous system regulation, and emerging modalities, I aim to create a group where therapists feel supported, inspired, and equipped to deliver exceptional care.
To learn more, visit Kelly Stone Therapy's 2025 Supervision Groups.
References:
Porges, S. W. (2011). The Polyvagal Theory: Neurophysiological Foundations of Emotions, Attachment, Communication, and Self-regulation. Norton & Company.
Levine, P. A. (2010). In an Unspoken Voice: How the Body Releases Trauma and Restores Goodness. North Atlantic Books.
Van der Kolk, B. A. (2014). The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma. Viking.