In this series, I explore some of the answers to one of the most common questions that I am asked as a coach and coaching supervisor: “Why do coaches need supervision?”. The literature about coaching supervision suggests that there are three main purposes of coaching supervision, support, development and quality assurance. Here, I consider the first of these – the support offered by supervisors.
The Supportive Aspect of Supervision: Creating a Safe Space for Growth
As health coaches, we give much of our energy to supporting others, but who supports us?
The NHS is an incredibly challenging place to work for health and wellbeing coaches as the healthcare system doesn’t fully understand the role yet, which creates stress for coaches who are trying to navigate many different and conflicting demands. Also, services across the NHS are under pressure with huge waiting lists, particularly in mental health services, so health coaches often find themselves supporting people with multiple complex problems whilst they are awaiting treatment elsewhere.
Supervision plays a vital role in ensuring coaches’ well-being. Whilst supervision also helps maintain coaching standards and professional development for coaches, its supportive aspect is key in keeping coaches working well and preventing burnout, so how, exactly does it help provide support for coaches?
Reflective practice: Supervision offers a confidential and judgment-free environment where coaches can reflect on their whole coaching practice and find clarity on complex situations. The reflective space of supervision sessions allows coaches to process their experiences and manage the demands of their work.
Preventing Burnout: Coaching is often emotionally challenging and over time this can lead to risk of burnout. Supervision helps to prevent burnout by providing a space to discuss both tough professional cases and personal stressors. Supervisors provide empathetic listening and support to help coaches manage overwhelm and increase their well-being.
Reducing Isolation: Many NHS coaches work on their own as the only coach in their practice or PCN, or in small teams. This lack of daily interaction with other coaches can lead to feelings of isolation. Supervision offers connection, allowing coaches to share successes, challenges, and gain a sense of belonging within the health coaching community.
Encouraging Self-Care: Supervisors support coaches to be aware of their own well-being, manage their workload, and maintain healthy boundaries. This focus on self-care ensures that coaches stay well themselves, which will in turn mean they are more able to reach their professional goals and support their patients effectively.
Developing Self-Compassion: Self-compassion is especially important for newer NHS health coaches, who have only 4 days training before being thrown in the deep end seeing patients. Supervision encourages coaches to be kind to themselves, acknowledge their limits, and view mistakes as learning opportunities whilst reminding them that they don’t have to be perfect. Developing self-compassion ultimately makes coaches more effective and balanced in their practice.
Overall, the supportive aspect of supervision is essential to a coach’s own health and wellbeing. By providing emotional support, reducing isolation, promoting self-care and self-compassion, supervision helps coaches thrive both professionally and personally.
If you’re a coach, reflect on how supervision supports your well-being. Are you making the most of your supervision sessions? How will you benefit from the supportive space in your next supervision session?
If you don’t have access to specific coaching supervision, our programme can connect you into a supervision group led by a fully qualified health coaching supervisor. Contact us at support@keraconsultancyltd.com for further details.