Clinical Supervision
Ann Roberts on Clinical Supervision:
My two decades as a supervisor and faculty member at the National Institute for the Psychotherapies (NIP) and Institute for Contemporary Psychotherapy (ICP) in New York City have deeply informed my clinical philosophy. Teaching courses in human development, clinical process, psychoanalysis, and Freud has shaped my understanding of the therapist’s journey. As ICP’s co-director of curriculum for four years, I gained a keen appreciation for the arc of professional maturation – how clinicians develop their ideas and discover their unique therapeutic voice. This passion for professional growth and education shines through in my supervisory work.
Like any therapeutic process, supervision in psychotherapy thrives on a distinctive, shared dialogue. This conversation can be molded by the supervisee, and the areas of his or her work that they need to develop. The dialogue can be directed by the patient presented, and the way the patient may call forth transformation in their therapist. At best, supervision is an exciting and spontaneous endeavor born out of a sense of safety and trust that the supervisor and supervisee have for each other. To facilitate this atmosphere of trust, I believe attention needs to be paid to the vulnerabilities of all participants in the supervision: the patient; the supervisee; and the supervisor.
Regardless of the supervisee’s struggles, I perceive supervision as a platform for thought, emotion, symbolization, mentalization and identifying one’s unique voice. My theoretical orientation amalgamates interpersonal and relational concepts, British object relations and developmental models. Key influences include Seares, Rosenfeld, Winnicott, Bollas, Philips, Bromberg, Fonagy and Target, among others. I also appreciate Diana Fosha and at times utilize aspects of Accelerated Experimental Dynamic Psychotherapy.
A key area of expertise is understanding the dynamics of trauma, dissociation, and personality disorders within the context of clinical process.
