Clinical supervision for clinical psychologists: existing provision and unmet needs

• Published in: Clinical psychology and psychotherapy 1999-11, Vol.6 (5), p.404-412
• Main Authors: Gabbay, M. B., Kiemle, G., Maguire, C.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1063-3995; 1099-0879
• DOI: 10.1002/(SICI)1099-0879(199911)6:5<404::AID-CPP209>3.0.CO;2-B

Clinical supervision is an integral aspect of training, and recommended as an essential part of good clinical practice. Our research surveyed 321 clinical psychologists practising in the North West of England. Among the 127 (40%) who responded to the anonymous questionnaires, 36 (28%) received no clinical supervision at all, of whom only four (11%) were happy not to have any. Of those who were getting at least some clinical supervision, only 17 (18%) were satisfied with their current arrangements, whilst 36 (40%) felt that they could be improved, and the remaining 38 (42%) considered current arrangements unsatisfactory. Access to supervision was more likely among women, those in less senior posts, and those practising more psychodynamically. Even if all non‐respondents received adequate supervision, at least 13% of those practising in the North West received none at all. This is against the professional practice guidelines of the British Psychological Society, and contrasts with requirements of counsellors and psychotherapists who must have regular clinical supervision in order to be registered by their professional associations. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.