1. Clinical Supervision | Melinda Austen person2person
0430 241 456
1
Individual Supervision
For overa decade,Melindahasprovidedindividual supervisiontoarange of counsellingandcase
managementprofessionalsinprivate practice andin organisationsincludingRedCross,Asylum
SeekerResource Centre,STARTTSandVerySpecial KIDS.
Melindarecognisesthe wealthof knowledgethatpeople bringtotheirpractice frompreviouswork
and life experience andherapproachtosupervisioniscollaborative,drawingonthe supervisee’s
existingskillsandexperiences. Applyingasocial workdevelopmental approachtosupervision,she
workswitheach supervisee atthe level of theirprofessionalneed,asa new graduate applyingnew
skillsora seasonedprofessional requiringasoundingboard. Superviseesare invitedto engage in
reflectivediscourseabouttheirworkintermsof clientintrapersonal issues,psychosocialfactors,
the organisational andsocio-political contextaswell astheirrole in the interrelationshipbetween
workerand client.
Workingwith clientswithcomplex needsandtraumahistoriescanbe challengingaswell as
rewarding.Throughsupervision,Melindaprovidesdebriefingandsupporttoassist supervisees to
developstrategiestomanage theirindividual responsestopeople’ssuffering inaworkcontext.
Principalsguidingsupervisionpractice are:opencommunication, tailoredsupervisiontomeet
individualneeds,clearcontracting,amatchedsupervisionstyle,ongoing assessmentof supervisees
developmentandongoingevaluationof the supervisionprocesstoensure itmeetssupervisee’s
needs.
Testimonials:Individual supervision
Melinda is a an insightful professional supervisor with an excellent ability to really listen and
engage. Melinda built on my existing skills and assisted me to identify where they enhanced
my practice as a newly graduated SW caseworker. She has a wealth of knowledge and
expertise and I found her wisdom and insight to be invaluable. I very much looked forward
to the supervision space. Thanks Melinda for being such a wonderful professional mentor.
Carla Nayton, Red Cross 2016
(Supervision encouraged): critical self reflection and professional growth, was dynamic and
responsive to the asylum seeker field of practice, strengthened my capacity to achieve better
outcomes and support of clients, encouraged reflective practice, built on practise knowledge
and skills, (helped me to) better understand clients & colleagues, my presenting challenges
and growth areas. It was educational and supportive, respectful, open and safe. I greatly
admire and respect your practice wisdom, approach to supervision and sharing.
Fiona Cavenagh, Red Cross, 2015
My style of working has always been to work as a reflective practitioner. Melinda helped me
to become more aware of the way that client issues affect me and the way I work with other
clients after difficult sessions. Joanna Coussins, Red Cross 2015

2. Clinical Supervision | Melinda Austen person2person
0430 241 456
2
Group Supervision
Group supervisionprovidesanopportunityforcaseworkers/clinicianstocome togetherasa small
groupof 6-10 to: 1. discusscurrentclientissuesinacase presentation
2.explore general themesarisingin clientwork
3.investigatepersonalreactionstoworkingwithclientswithcomplexissues
4.learnaboutrelevanttheories/modelsthatmaysupport clinical discussion.
A Reflective Approach
Reflectivegroupsupervision invitesindividual responsestoacase presentation/ theme and the co-
creationof ideas ratherthan focusingon listeningtoa detailedpresentation.Presentationsare
unplannedandpresentationtime islimited. Melindafacilitatescollaborative discussion,poses
questionsthatencourage critical thinkingandreflectionand,providespsycho-educationasrequired.
Group membersare encouragedto attendsupervisionwithachallengingclientcase ortheme in
mind. The presenter’srole istooutline reasonsforpresentingthe case andwhattheyhope to
explore throughgroupdiscussion, before providingabrief clienthistory.The presenteroutlinestheir
case planinterventionsandresponsestothe workorclient. Thisfocusesthe wayin whichthe case
ispresented, howparticipantslistentothe case presentationandconceptualisethe issues. The
grouphelpsto flesh outthe clientstorybyaskingpertinentquestionsand providingreflections from
theirownclinical experiences. Discussionopensupnew areasof enquirysuchas contextual factors,
systemicissues,organisational factors,transference andcounter-transference issues. From
discussion, newideasandpotentialtreatment options mayemerge orclinical themescanbe
explored. Atthe endof the session, groupmembersofferafinal reflectiononthe session and how
the discussionmayhave informedtheirownworkpractice.
Liaisonwiththe Organisation
Melindahasprovidedgroupsupervisionanddebriefing toa range of agenciessince 2002 including
RedCross,NSW AsylumSeekersCentre, Bondi JunctionMental HealthTeamandYouthPathways.
Melinda initially contracts with the agency to determine agency needs and expectations ,
feedback mechanisms, session length and frequency, participants numbers and limits of
confidentiality.
Testimonials: Group Supervision
Thankyou forthe group supervision thatyou provided. Ifound itto be a stimulating way of reflecting
on my workand practice while also devising practical strategiesand solutionsforissues that arose
The balanceof individualand group supervision wasan ideal way to learn for theexperiencesof my
colleagueswhile incorporating thoselearningsinto my waysof working. John,Red Cross2015
Melinda hasa good understandingof people,sheis open to differentideas and a good listener. I had
time to expressmyself and also get to see my supervisor’sfeedbackand perspectives. Cliff ,Red Cross
Melinda excelled in meeting the challengeof providing a safe,containing and supportivegroup
supervision in a competentand professionalmanner. PeterDavis.STARTTS TeamLeader 2002.
We thankMelinda for hergentlenessand insight.Sylvia Winton. Mngr,AsylumSeekers Centre.2002