Because psychologists are as human as their patients, always exposed to the risk of thorny counter-transference, supervision is invaluable. Yet, for lack of time, money and/or motivation, not all of them do.

When I talk to friends or colleagues about my job, I sometimes hear the amusing fantasy of the « super-psych »: the one who can identify psychic issues in the blink of an eye, find the right words in every conflict, detach himself from every situation, as if equipped with a shield. In reality, this is not the case: some patients stun me, others move me, inhabit me or tire me more than usual, to the point of re-emerging in my psychic life at the end of the day », says Magalie S, clinical psychologist, psychotherapist and doctoral student at the Psychoanalytical Studies Department of the University of Paris.7.

Super-psy

Because helping people in difficulty is not like managing a stock of goods, supervision is invaluable. It’s not just for shrinks, but for all professionals in the helping professions, from psychologists and psychotherapists to coaches and social workers.

Alain Delourme, clinical psychologist, doctor of psychology, trainer, practitioner supervisor and co-author of La Supervision en psychanalyse et en psychothérapie (Dunod, 2011), explains why: « Everyone has areas of insight or blindness, competence or incompetence. The supervisor is there to help the therapist see more clearly, to think, to understand, and to manage the situation better. » In a nutshell, it’s about broadening the practitioner’s capacity to live emotionally and intellectually through complex situations.

Alain Delourme distinguishes three fundamental functions of the supervisor: watchdog, researcher and transmitter. The supervisor ensures that the supervisee is doing well and, above all, that he or she is practicing in conditions befitting his or her profession. So, no more sexual relations with patients on Wednesday evenings (see « Les relations sexuelles entre psys et patients, histoire d’une omerta », Cercle Psy n°3, Dec 2011/Jan-Feb 2012) and no more breaches of the code of ethics, a veritable psys’ grimoire!

« The supervisee can talk about a therapeutic situation in the session, just as he or she can choose to talk about a personal difficulty that arises in the context of his or her profession. For example, if one patient out of two annoys him, we can assume that the difficulty does not come from the patients, but from the therapist himself », stresses Alain Delourme.

Practice can vary. Some supervisors require therapists to speak without their session notes, while others demand the opposite. Some agree to analyze video recordings, while others are opposed. In short, there’s a supervisor for every therapist.

What about the supervisee? Magalie S. explains: « My supervisor helps me to reactivate my thinking. He teaches me to listen to my intuitions, to unravel my unconscious conflicts. He allows me not to know, to make mistakes, but also to assert myself. I feel much more serene in my work now. It’s easier for me to take a step back!

For all budgets?

While the supervisor may be comfortable for more experienced psychologists, he or she is often indispensable for newly qualified psychologists, those whose first steps in the profession are still hesitant: how do you position yourself in relation to the hierarchy? How can they promote their practice to doctors? What’s your place in multidisciplinary work? How much can you earn? How do you arrange your working hours? These are just some of the concrete questions that can be raised during supervision. « For me, it’s been indispensable, especially in the early days of my practice, when the first job as a psychologist is often idealized. The psychologist’s place has to be created, heard and sometimes even readjusted, » confides Magalie S.

Is the supervisor the invisible right-hand man of the profession’s young acolytes? Dana Castro, clinical psychologist and director of the École des psychologues praticiens de Paris, confirms this: « Supervision can help young graduates to overcome feelings of uncertainty and lack of self-confidence. Many find it difficult to see themselves as real experts. They don’t feel legitimate and need guidance. »

But the support of a supervisor represents a real luxury for some people. And for good reason– it‘s no scoop –psychologists are poor, or at least not the wealthiest of helping professionals. While expenses peripheral to their profession can soar at breakneck speed (personal therapy, office rental), income is more discreet. This is discouraging for many: « At the start of my career, I earned 1,600 euros net. Each week, my supervision cost me 40 euros and my personal analysis 60 euros. That came to 400 euros a month! It’s disgusting that shrinks should have to pay for themselves to give themselves the conditions to be good professionals », protests Magalie S. That’s why Dana Castro sometimes advises his former students to engage in « intervision » with their colleagues. A good alternative that allows them to exchange ideas with their counterparts, and not remain alone with their questions.

Stifling supervision?

While psychoanalysts and therapists are fond of supervision, psychologists are less so. The reason? Financial, of course. But not only that. According to Alain Delourme, these three professions, so similar in appearance, do not attribute the same value to the practice of supervision.

Psychotherapists and psychoanalysts are the good students in this respect. The percentage of supervisees is particularly high among these « technocrats of listening » , who have necessarily worked on themselves during their training. Alain Delourme wonders: « Some psychologists think they don’t need it. They may fear that it will call them into question. Which is the case, since we ask them about areas of myopia. They probably also fear being bullied. But that’s not true! Our role is not to make them feel guilty. Magalie S. adds: « I’ve already felt like giving up! It takes a lot of strength of conviction to stick with it… ».

A point of view shared by Mélissa(1), a young psychologist in Bouches-du-Rhône: « Many psychologists don’t get supervised. Few dare admit it, for fear of being seen as bad professionals. I don’t get supervised and I’m no worse off for it, and neither is my wallet. The 950 euros a month I’m paid isn’t going to encourage me to get supervised. To advocate such an approach is absurd, given the precarious nature of the profession.

Before we throw the dunce’s cap in psychologists’ faces, let’s ask ourselves the ultimate question: is supervision imperative? « No. It’s optional, although I can only recommend it. I’m not in favor of imposing such obligations. It’s an infantilizing approach, » replies Alain Delourme.