How to find a supervisor

by Lisa HarrisNo Comments
Finding out if needs, experience, and goals align. As supervisors we all work a little differently, as supervisees, we are all different. This means finding the best fit or right combination might feel like a never ending task - but it doesn't need to. Thinking and reflecting on ourselves and putting this with what we might already know we are looking for, can be an excellent place to start. Communicating this to a potential supervisor can be a great time saver and allow everyone to make effective use of time. Think about your own professional background What is your current Role?Are you a trainee, newly qualified, an experienced practitioner, a supervisor, manager or consultant? What are your credentials, qualifications, Professional Body and supervision arrangements: Are you a member of the BACP, UKCP, NCPS etc. What is your level of training, what particular qualifications do you hold or are you working towards? What are your own achievements and background? What are your current supervision arrangements and how might...
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Midlife, it’s time.

by Lisa HarrisNo Comments
I think midlife is when the universe gently places her hands upon your shoulders, pulls you close, and whispers in your ear:I’m not screwing around. It’s time. All of this pretending and performing – these coping mechanisms that you’ve developed to protect yourself from feeling inadequate and getting hurt – has to go. Your armor is preventing you from growing into your gifts. I understand that you needed these protections when you were small. I understand that you believed your armour could help you secure all of the things you needed to feel worthy of love and belonging, but you’re still searching and you’re more lost than ever. Time is growing short. There are unexplored adventures ahead of you. You can’t live the rest of your life worried about what other people think. You were born worthy of love and belonging. Courage and daring are coursing through you. You were made to live and love with your whole heart. It’s time to...
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Reflection and journals

by Lisa HarrisNo Comments
Today's addition to my journal :A piece by Mother TeresaAn albanian- Indian nun1910-1997 I often journal my thoughts, reflections or things I've read that have resonated with me. Today it is this.So, in short ... Forgive anywayBe kind anywaySucceed anywayBe honest and frank anywayBuild anywayBe happy anywayDo good anywayGive the world the best you've got anywayIt was never between you and them anyway. The photo is of my journal where I've written this out in full. (Complete with an error!) Reflecting is an important part of being a therapist and supervisor. Inspiration, ideas, thought process, drawings and doodles, wise words from another, realisations, fears, achievements and more can all be recorded or perhaps unpacked in journals. Free writing or free scribbles can unlock, reveal or remind us of so much. Reading back through our journals we can often follow our journey, see our progress, recognise themes or be simply reminded of things we'd forgotten.Sometimes this can help us prepare for supervision or support our own therapy. The...
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Sometimes only a swear word will do

by Lisa HarrisNo Comments
If you're wondering what it would be like to hear me say such a thing, just try saying it in a Geordie accent  As a fellow therapist said to me quite some time ago when we were discussing congruence, and ethics of authenticity and genuineness - "Sometimes only a swear word will do!" Be authentic In therapy and supervision I invite those I work with and support to be their authentic self. In turn, I offer my authentic self too. That means, if you swear that's ok with me.If you don't swear, that's ok with me.If you use wild hand gestures that's ok with me.If you express yourself in contemporary dance or song that's ok with me.If you want to show me your pet that's ok with me.If you struggle to find words that's ok with me.If you feel really emotional that's ok with me.If you want to draw or write what's in your thoughts that's ok with me.If you want to scream that's...
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My journey to being Lisa Harris

by Lisa HarrisNo Comments
I've always been a people person I've always actively worked with people in one form or another.My first grown-up job in 1993 was as a health care assistant in an old cottage hospital working on long stay care of the elderly wards (as they were known then), often with those impacted by strokes or long-term health conditions. This was my first experience of working with brain injury. Thesekinds of wards don't even exist anymore. I really loved this job. I had so much one-to-one time with my patients to attend to their care and needs and to really listen to them. It was here that I learned that we are all human-first, in very real ways. I progressed to working in a brand-new build hospital working in the diagnostic radiology, the x ray department. I looked after patients' emotional and physical well-being when in the department for any kind of scan, x ray, or investigation. I really enjoyed the personal connection I had...
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