Beyond the Session: The Power of Reading in Supervision

Beyond the Session: The Power of Reading in Supervision

In this episode of Supervising with Purpose: Mental Health Leadership Unlocked, we celebrate the timeless power of books and publications in professional growth. Reading is a fundamental way to deepen our knowledge, challenge our perspectives, and stay current in the ever-evolving field of mental health. We'll discuss how integrating literature into your supervision practice can enrich conversations and inspire your supervisees.

I'll share some of my all-time favorite books for supervisors and therapists, covering topics from foundational theories to innovative techniques. We'll explore how to recommend readings that align with a supervisee's interests and growth areas, and how to use book discussions as a dynamic part of your supervision sessions. This episode is a tribute to the authors and researchers who guide our practice and a practical guide to making reading a cornerstone of your supervisory relationships.

Need Tools and Resources for Supervisors?

While books are an incredible resource, keeping your thoughts and learnings organized is key. My Ultimate Supervision Guides, available for various professions, are the perfect companions to your reading, helping you apply new knowledge to your specific practice. You can find them for Counselors, Social Workers, Marriage & Family Therapists, and Clinical Psychologists in my shop.

Practical Tips From This Episode:

1. Create a "Living" Reading List: Keep a running list of books, articles, and blogs that you've found impactful. Share it with your supervisees as a source of inspiration.

2. Start a "Book Club" of Two: Choose a book to read alongside your supervisee. Dedicate a portion of your sessions to discussing chapters and applying the concepts to their caseload.

3. Connect Reading to Real-World Practice: Encourage supervisees to bring in case examples that relate to the concepts they are reading about. This helps bridge the gap between theory and practice.

4. Explore Different Formats: Not everyone loves to read traditional books. Suggest audiobooks, podcasts, and academic journals to cater to different learning styles.

5. Model Lifelong Learning: Share what you are currently reading and learning. Your own enthusiasm for professional development is one of the most powerful motivators for your supervisees.

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Connect with Me:

• Instagram: @motivatedwellnesssolutionsllc

• Website: www.motivatedwellnesssolutionsllc.com

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Disclaimer:

Supervising with Purpose is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical, legal, or clinical supervision advice. Always consult with a licensed professional or advisor for personalized guidance.

 

-Transcript-

Welcome to Supervising with Purpose: Mental Health Leadership Unlocked. I'm Amy, your guide to navigating the world of clinical supervision and mental health leadership. Whether you're a seasoned supervisor or just stepping into the role, this podcast is here to equip you with insights, tools, and strategies to lead with confidence, clarity, and purpose.

Today, we're going back to basics in the best way possible. We're talking about the power of reading. In our fast-paced, digital world, it can be easy to forget the simple, profound impact of a good book. But as supervisors and mental health professionals, reading is one of the most important things we can do to stay current, to challenge our perspectives, and to deepen our practice.

I am an avid reader. I have stacks of books all over my house, and my to-be-read pile is always a mile high. I truly believe that reading is a form of self-care, and it's a non-negotiable part of my professional development. The authors and researchers in our field are our guides, our mentors, and our teachers. They offer us a wealth of knowledge and wisdom, and it's all right there at our fingertips.

I love to integrate reading into my supervision practice. It's a way to enrich our conversations, to introduce new ideas, and to inspire my supervisees to become lifelong learners. I often recommend books that align with a supervisee's interests or growth areas, and we'll use our supervision sessions to discuss the concepts and apply them to their real-world cases.

It's amazing to see the lightbulb moments that can happen when a supervisee reads something that resonates with them. It's like a whole new world opens up, and they start to see their clients and their own work in a different light. It's a beautiful thing to witness.

Now, I know that not everyone is a big reader, and that's okay. There are so many different ways to consume information these days. Audiobooks are a fantastic option for people who are always on the go. Podcasts, like this one, are another great way to learn and stay engaged. And of course, there are countless articles, blogs, and academic journals that are available online.

The important thing is to find what works for you and your supervisees. The goal is to create a culture of curiosity and continuous learning. As supervisors, we have a responsibility to model this for our supervisees. When they see our own enthusiasm for learning, it's contagious.

So, how can you start to integrate reading into your supervision practice? Here are a few ideas:

1. Create a "living" reading list. Keep a running list of books, articles, and other resources that you've found helpful. Share it with your supervisees and encourage them to add their own recommendations.

2. Start a "book club" of two. Choose a book to read at the same time as your supervisee. You can dedicate a portion of your supervision sessions to discussing the chapters and talking about how the concepts apply to their work.

3. Connect reading to real-world practice. Encourage your supervisees to bring in case examples that relate to what they're reading. This is a great way to bridge the gap between theory and practice.

4. Explore different formats. Be open to different ways of learning. If your supervisee isn't a big reader, suggest an audiobook or a podcast instead.

5. Model lifelong learning. Share what you're currently reading and learning. Talk about the new ideas that you're excited about. Your own passion for professional development will be one of the most powerful motivators for your supervisees.

To help you and your supervisees organize your thoughts and learnings from your reading, I've created the Ultimate Supervision Guides. I have versions for Counselors, Social Workers, Marriage & Family Therapists, and Clinical Psychologists. They are the perfect companions to your reading and can help you to apply new knowledge to your specific practice.

I hope this episode has inspired you to pick up a book, to explore a new idea, and to share the power of reading with your supervisees. It's a simple, yet profound way to enrich your supervision practice and to support the growth of the next generation of mental health professionals.

Thank you for tuning in to Supervising with Purpose: Mental Health Leadership Unlocked. I hope today’s conversation inspired new ideas and provided tools to lead with intention. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share it with your colleagues, and leave a review—it helps grow our community.

For more tips, tools, and resources, check the show notes. Until next time, keep leading with purpose!