Contemplative Supervision: An Introduction

This article is for counsellors and therapists who are interested in the model of Contemplative Supervision.

Contemplative Supervision was developed by Karen Kessel Wegela at the Naropa Institute in Colorado. 

In Contemplative Supervision the supervisor and supervisee bring a mindful awareness to the three elements of client observation –body, speech and mind.   

Body – this might involve noticing how the client walks into the room and observations about their physical appearance, such as the colour of their eyes, or how they change their facial expressions.  We explore how the supervisee experiences the client’s presence.  If the work is taking place outside, we might notice how they manage their physical needs in the elements, their walking pace or how they sit on the ground

Speech – bringing an awareness to the different ways the client communicates: patterns of speech, volume, tone, use of laughter, and how they engage with other communication platforms, email or text.  What is their story? What’s going on underneath the story? This involves the subliminal and the transpersonal.  

Mind – exploring how the client sees themselves and the world, the impact of trauma, what is their conditioning and their beliefs about themselves and others, what is the deeper meaning or truth that is emerging?

The idea here is that we use the elements of body, speech and mind to metaphorically bring the client into the room, by bringing our awareness and kind attention to different aspects of the client.  

This process is mindfulness based and we are noticing, without judgement, without trying to fix the client, but just being present with what is.   

Contemplative Supervision offers a model for expanding our awareness of  clients and our own reactions, and is particularly helpful in situations where we feel stuck.  For therapists who work outdoors, as I do sometimes, it can be a helpful way of supporting the work, by noticing the richness of the natural environment and our interactions with it.

I completed a Diploma in Mindfulness-based Contemplative Supervision at the Karuna Institute, Dartmoor.  

Contact me if you're interested in Contemplative Supervision to support the development of your practice.

I welcome enquiries from counsellors and therapists who work indoors, outdoors or online.

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