Recently, I’ve been asked a lot of questions about hypnotherapy supervision and CPD (continuous professional development). It’s something that can feel confusing or even daunting, whether you’re a student, newly qualified, or already in practice.
Both supervision and CPD are designed to help you develop as a therapist, improve your skills and support your clients more effectively. In this article, we’ll look at what hypnotherapy supervision involves, why it matters, and how it works in practice.
Hypnotherapy Supervision Explained
1. What’s the difference between supervision and CPD?
Supervision is aimed at reviewing skills you already have, to make sure you are using them effectively both from your own point of view and your clients’. CPD is a commitment to life-long learning and is intended to develop new skills and consolidate or upgrade existing ones.
2. What does a hypnotherapy supervisor do?
A hypnotherapy supervisor provides you with professional guidance and support. Their role is to make sure your practice is safe and ethical, and to help you develop your skills. They will also help you review cases, especially when you’re not sure what to do, and will also check your wellbeing and self care to make sure you are not at risk of burnout.
3. What Is the purpose of hypnotherapy supervision?
It’s to make sure you are looking after your clients and yourself. It can also cover how you build your business, setting business goals, and any other topic which will make you a more effective therapist.
Supervision is not just about solving immediate problems — it’s also part of your ongoing professional development. If you’re interested in developing your own skills further, including training as a supervisor, I also offer CPD training in hypnotherapy supervision.
4. Do hypnotherapists have to have supervision?
Many professions, especially the caring ones like nursing and counselling, expect their practitioners to be in supervision throughout their career. For UK hypnotherapists your professional body will almost certainly make this a compulsory process as well. Some only require supervision for the first few years of practice, and simply encourage it after that. Others will require to you to undertake supervision for as long as you are seeing clients.
5. Why is supervision important?
My driving instructor used to say he would teach me to pass my test and I’d learn to drive after that. He was right. Hypnotherapy practitioner training is similar in many ways, and however good it is it can’t give you experience. The period following graduation can be a very steep learning curve, especially if you haven’t been self-employed before. During training you always had your tutor to turn to, and once you’re qualified, your supervisor takes over that mentoring role.
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6. How much supervision do I need?
This will vary depending on your professional body. Some set a specific target for all members, and others have different guidelines depending on whether you are seeing clients full time or part-time, so ask when you join. You should keep a comprehensive record of all your supervision, with proof, since random audits are carried out. Some professional bodies provide template record forms, but a spreadsheet will often do just as well.
7. How is supervision carried out?
Supervision is usually carried out:
- one to one, which can be in person or by phone or a secure communication platform like Zoom. In this case, your supervisor should be significantly more experienced than you are.
- in supervision group meetings with an experienced/approved supervisor in charge, although everyone is generally encouraged to offer ideas.
- in peer support groups, where everyone is likely to be at a similar level of experience and training.
8. What about other supervision methods?
It’s possible to get a kind of peer supervision via email or social media discussion groups. These can certainly provide you with some excellent ideas and resources, but they are not a replacement for supervision. Not least because your professional body will set a minimum number of hours for your supervision, and it’s difficult to calculate or verify this for written communications. There are also confidentiality and Data Protection issues with sharing any client information online.
9. How Is client confidentiality protected in supervision?
It’s OK to ask for help with clients during supervision, as long is this is done in a way which prevents them from being recognised or identified. Usually clients are identified by an initial, first name (unless it’s very unusual) or reference number. Remember it’s not just names that give away identities: mentioning the client’s job or other details may do it too if they have a public role.
You should always make a note in your client records that you have discussed a client in supervision, along with the alias you used.
10. Do you have to pay for supervision?
Whichever type of supervision you choose you will have to pay, although supervision fees and any attendant travel costs should be treated as a business expense. Supervisors set their own fees, so remember to ask about this when you contact a prospective supervisor. Also remember that the cheapest person may not be the best value for your investment.
11. Should I have group or one-to-one supervision?
Groups tend to be cheaper, and give you a chance to network, and mingle with others who understand the rewards and challenges of the job you do. As a therapist, you are usually working alone and it’s nice to get this chance.
On the other hand, groups are less personal and flexible than one to one supervisors. Time to discuss your question may be limited if others have them too, and questions about clients don’t always arise conveniently timed for meetings.
Ask for a written contract about what services are being offered, what prices will be charged and when these are likely to be reviewed, especially with a personal supervisor.
It’s perfectly possible to utilise both and have a one to one supervisor as well as joining a group so you get the best of both worlds. This is my advice to my new graduates.
12. How do I find a supervisor?
Most professional bodies have rules about who can be a supervisor, or a list of ‘approved’ supervisors and supervision groups, so that’s a good place to start. Otherwise ask in social media groups for a recommendation or do a Google search.
My advice is to contact two or three supervisors, asking if they use a specific model of supervision, how they organise hypnotherapy supervision sessions, how often you are expected to attend etc. The go ahead with the one who resonates with you the best.
If you’re exploring supervision options, I’ve outlined how I offer both one-to-one and group supervision here.
A Final Thought on Supervision
And the big bonus question: do I practice what I preach?
In brief, yes. I have been qualified since 2003 and still find supervision a valuable part of my practice. It encourages reflection, supports my ongoing development, and provides a reliable source of guidance when needed.
About Debbie Waller
Blog Author Debbie Waller is a hypnotherapist, supervisor, and trainer with more than twenty years of experience. As well as having a busy client practice, she runs Yorkshire Hypnotherapy Training and writes books and articles for therapists who want to deepen their knowledge and develop effective practice.
Disclaimer
The information and ideas shared on this blog are based on the author’s professional experience, research, and training. They are intended for educational purposes and to support reflection and professional development. Therapists should always apply their own professional judgment and consider the needs of individual clients when using any techniques or suggestions discussed here.
While every effort is made to ensure the information is accurate and helpful, no responsibility can be accepted for any loss, damage, or difficulties arising from the use or misuse of material contained in these articles.
