Menu Close

Supervision

A guide for members of The Association of Christian Spiritual Directors NZ …

Regular supervision is an essential requirement for all members of the Association of Christian Spiritual Directors who have Directees. Supervision provides a vital relationship for growth and safe practice and members are required to report who they see for Supervision in the membership renewal form.

“Supervision is a formalised, regular, sustained review of yourself and your work, undertaken within a structured, contractual, supervisory relationship. Good supervision enables you to grow both as a person and as a director; helping ensure that your practice is safe, effective and ethical.” SGM Handout 1.6

“The overall goal of supervision is to help directors grow in self-awareness and interior freedom in order to stay with the directees’ experience  and to be attentive to God during direction sessions.” Maureen Conroy, Looking into the Well: Supervision of Spiritual Directors. 

  • Supervision is a confidential, structured, and contracted relationship which enables the director to reflect critically on their work with a competent colleague, preferably one who has formal training in supervision.
  • There is a strong commitment to learning, reflection and challenge. Supervisors should not be a family member, close friend, or someone with whom other contracted relationships are agreed.
  • Supervision should ideally be conducted in a face to face setting, or via Zoom (Google Teams, etc). When this is not possible and either email or phone call is used, they are to be supplemented by face to face (in person or zoom)  supervision at least twice a year. 
  • Group or Peer Supervision may be more practical and beneficial, when the supervisees are well experienced and can offer supervision in a structured manner to each other. 

Key elements in Supervision are:

  • Being in a regular, contracted, relationship with your Supervisor or the members of your Supervision Group, committed to journeying together.
  • Being intentional and committed to personal growth and growth in your spiritual direction practice through self-reflection.
  • Sessions should focus on your practice as Spiritual Director and any personal issues which affect  your work as a spiritual director.

Because Supervision is designed to hone and enhance our practice of Spiritual Direction this needs to be engaged with on a regular basis with the same person or group.

How often should we have Supervision?

  • The Executive recommends monthly supervision for those who see 5 or more directees a month.
  • For those who have fewer than 5 directees a month, the Executive would suggest it be discussed  with the supervisor and aim to meet for supervision at least four times a year.
  • Annual Review: the Executive suggests that every director has an annual discussion with their supervisor: reflecting on their growth and development as a person and in their spiritual direction practice. These conversations should include a considered review of their practice, professional development, reading, retreats attended etc. How have you grown as a person and as a director across the year? What movement and development have you noticed within your life?

Where do I find a Supervisor?

ACSD holds a list of those ACSD Members who indicate on their annual Membership Covenant Renewal form that they offer Supervision to Spiritual Directors. This list includes qualifications held and experience gained in supervision. It is available on the Website directory.

Note disclaimer:  These are guidelines only as the  Association does not vet, train or monitor Supervisors. Each member is responsible for ascertaining the suitability of the person they approach to be their Supervisor. 

The following three articles adapted with gratitude and permission from Australian Ecumenical Council for Spiritual Direction: Formation Guidelines for Supervisors of Spiritual Directors, provide much wisdom in making this decision. 

More Resources on Supervisions for Spiritual Directors

Websites

Verified by MonsterInsights