Module: Professional Supervision Practice

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Professional Supervision Practice
Module Code	PST1034 (ITS: NS622)
Faculty	Nursing, PsyT & Comm Health	School	Science & Health
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	10

Description

This module focuses on the application of supervision knowledge and skills to professional practice. Through internal and external supervision practice with peers and supervisees, students will develop their supervisory skills and style. They will learn how to apply and integrate models of supervision into their practice, develop understanding and skills in working with the supervisory relationship, consider supervision practice in different modes and contexts, and attend to ethical, legal and professional issues in supervision. Students will be guided to practice in an evidence-formed way. Through independent study, engagement in clinical supervision practice, supervision consultation and group supervision of their practice, students will engage in a depth of reflection and critical appraisal about their own and others’ clinical supervision practice.

Learning Outcomes

1. Develop understanding and skills in integrating and applying models of supervision practice
2. Demonstrate the tasks of supervision in practice utilising appropriate skills and interventions
3. Develop skills in attending to the supervisory relationship
4. Understand and practice working in different supervision modes (individual, shared, group) and work/disciplinary contexts
5. Identify and make an informed response to ethical, legal and professional issues in supervision practice
6. Develop understanding and experience in using creative methods in supervision practice
7. Engage in reflexive, critical examination of their own and peers’ supervisory practice, developing skills and experience in offering and receiving feedback

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Directed learning	20	Lectures, discussions, practice groups
Directed learning	10	Internal group supervision
Directed learning	5	Internal supervision practice
Professional Practice	30	External supervision practice (25 hrs) plus external individual supervision consultation (5 hrs) at the rate of 5:1 (supervision hours to external supervision consultation)
Independent Study	185	Pre and post-session reading, independent reading and literature searching, assignment preparation, portfolio building
Total Workload: 250

Section Breakdown
CRN	11460	Part of Term	Semester 1 & 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Stephanie Finan	Module Teacher	Aisling McMahon

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Assignment	Session Analysis: Audio-recording, typed transcript, process notes and written essay (2,000 words) regarding 20 minutes of a supervision session.	80%	Sem 2 End
Professional Portfolio	Compilation of supervision logs/reports, supervision consultation logs/ reports/ information	20%	Sem 2 End

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Integrating and applying supervision models to practice
Integration and application of supervision models to professional practice

Practice in modes of supervision
Practice in individual, shared and group modes of supervision

The supervisory relationship
Developing awareness and skills in developing and maintaining healthy and productive supervisory relationships

Professional issues in supervision
Reflection and practice in attending to professional, ethical and legal issues including contracting, boundary setting, managing roles and responsibilities in supervision

Internal and external supervision practice, reflection and feedback
Supervisory practice, peer and lecturer feedback on supervisory practice, external supervision consultation, and reflective practice

Group supervision of supervision practice
Tutor-facilitated group supervision of supervision practice

Learning activities
Lectures, online resources, independent study, assignment preparation, portfolio building, internal and external supervision practice

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Beddoe, L., & Davys, A.: 2016, Challenges in professional supervision: Current themes and models for practice., Jessica Kingsley, London,
Bernard, J.M., & Goodyear, R.K.: 2019, Fundamentals of clinical supervision, 6th, Pearson Education, New Jersey,
Carroll, M.: 2014, Effective supervision for the helping professions, 2nd, Sage, London,
Creaner, M.: 2014, Getting the best out of supervision in counselling and psychotherapy: A guide for the supervisee, Sage, London,
Hargaden, H.: 2016, The art of relational supervision, Routledge, London,
Hawkins, P., & McMahon, A.: 2020, Supervision in the helping professions, 5th ed., McGraw-Hill Open University Press, London,
Page, S., & Wosket, V.: 2015, Supervising the counsellor: The cyclical model, 3rd, Routledge, London,
Proctor, B.: 2009, Group supervision: A guide to creative practice, Sage, London,
Scaife, J.: 2019, Supervision in clinical practice: A practitioner's guide, 3rd, Routledge, London,
Shohet, R. (Ed.): 2011, Supervision as transformation: A passion for learning, Jessica Kingsley, London,
Thomas, J.: 2010, The ethics of supervision and consultation: Practical guidance for mental health professionals, APA, Washington, DC,
Tribe, R., & Morrissey, J. (Eds.): 2020, The handbook of professional, ethical and research practice for psychologists, counsellors, psychotherapists and psychiatrists, 3rd ed., Brunner-Routledge, Hove,
Watkins, C., & Milne, D.: 2014, The Wiley international handbook of clinical supervision, Wiley, Oxford,
Wosket, V. (2nd ed.). London: Routledge: 2016, The therapeutic use of self: Counselling, practice, research and supervision, 2nd, Routledge, London,
Bond, T. & Mitchels, B.: 2014, Confidentiality and record keeping in counselling and psychotherapy, 3rd ed., Sage, London,
Lahad, M.: 2000, Creative supervision: The use of expressive arts methods in supervision and self-supervision., Jessica Kingsley, London,
Shohet, R.: 2008, Passionate supervision., Jessica Kingsley, London,
Schon, D.: 1983, The reflective practitioner: How professionals think in action., Temple Smith, London,

Articles:

0: Additional article resources will be provided on Loop (VLE),

Other Resources

Specialist journals: The Clinical Supervisor,
Specialist journals: Counselor Education and Supervision,