Supervision in a Slovak counselling centres´ net Ivan Valkovič

Counselling centres for individuals, couples and families in Slovakia have been part of Offices of labour, social affairs and family since 2005

The network consists of 55 counselling centres all over Slovakia and The central office in Bratislava Staff: 95 counsellors (87 psychologists)

The central office organizes supervision and education: Introductory training for newcomers (100 hours in 2 years) Training of supervision (100 hours in 2 years) for experienced practitioners Two-three days seminars for all counsellors One day seminars for all counsellors

Development of practice through reflection on SELF in relation to clients Developing the ability to relate to a wide variety of clients

Relating at depth requires an openness not only to all parts and dimensions of the client, but also to all aspects of the self of the therapist.

The challenge for counsellor is to become able to offer openness and depth of relating to any client. Initial training can only prepare the counsellor for this challenge; after training the development of the ability to meet every client at depth is part of the ongoing developmental agenda of the therapist.

Supervision can play an important part in this process of development, not only through discussion of professional and practice issues, but also through providing a place where the self-development of the therapist can be attended to and where the humanity of the therapist is acknowledged

The developmental agenda (Elke Lambers) Maintaining fitness to practice Broadening our experience of humanity Broadening the self available in the therapeutic encounter being open to all aspects of ourselves and acknowledging our own humanity as a source of connection with the client

Keeping fit Exercise Balance rest and work Nutrition Seek challenge Work on ‘weak’ areas

Broadening experience of humanity Experiencing and exploring diversity Expanding imagination Expanding our life experience Facing fears, prejudice Finding out about other people’s experiences

The developmental agenda Broadening the self available in the therapeutic encounter personal/professional development Being open to all aspects of ourselves and acknowledging our own humanity as a source of connection with the client

Broadening the self Bringing different dimensions or parts of self to the counselling relationship Understanding and articulation of theory Developing self acceptance Acknowledging and experiencing our humanity

My developmental agenda What do I need to work on in my development so that I can offer an encounter at relational depth to any client?

My self-development map Draw a map of my self-development until this point and also project it into the future What are my self-development objectives a a counsellor? What are my self-development objectives as a supervisor? How might they be obtained? What are my excuses for not obtaining them? Where do I start?

Work on your own for 20 minutes Then share your thoughts with another person for 30 minutes - (15 minutes each)