Couple Therapy Supervision
With Elizabeth Lacey MSW RSW
Get Encouragement, Direction and Support as you learn how to navigate the couple therapy journey.
OPTIONS: Individual Supervision & Weekly Thursday Open Group
Couple Therapy Supervision Group
WEEKLY ONLINE OPEN GROUP THURSDAYS
Couple Therapist Q&A
PRIVATE PODCAST * EMAIL SIGNUP REQUIRED
*Episodes are 20 Minutes or Less
Couple Therapy Supervision – Weekly Open Group Online
- Present a Couple Therapy case for discussion and direction
- Learn from other cases presented
- Ask questions related to your couple therapy practice or clinical skill development
- Connect with colleagues also doing couple therapy
- 15 Minute Q & A Time
EVERY THURSDAY 9:30 am – 11 am
Max 6 ppl per group
$75 per person
Registration Required (using Jane)
*all participants must complete and return a signed supervision agreement before attending.
“If you’re looking for a supervisor who has truly been there and done that, look no further than Elizabeth Lacey.”
“Elizabeth gave me professional support, mentorship and guidance when I saw couples in my practice. You can do all the training available, but nothing can prepare you for the reality of what couples bring to therapy. That is why her expertise, skill and wisdom were invaluable. In fact, while working under her supervision and seeing couples, I was rated as one of the Top 3 couples therapists in the city! Now, running a busy group practice, I have Elizabeth supervise my couples therapists.”
– Jordan Thomas MSW RSW, Founder London Trauma Therapy
Are you a Couple Therapist?
The demand for Couple Therapy in Ontario is higher than ever. Increasingly those requesting therapy have more than one long standing issue and often start therapy because something happened that is more uncomfortable than their resistance to starting therapy. Needless to say, these couples are not at their best. Many are skeptical about couple therapy, yet without other options, they cling to the hope that couple therapy will help them.
Couple therapists – especially those new to the field, have their work cut out for them for sure! It’s important that you understand the feelings and experiences couples present with. They need to know that you know what you’re doing (even if you’re not sure you do). Many are desperate for a solution and need a sense of hope for their relationship and their family.
Couples need a therapist that can manage them and create space for different ways of being together
Explaining how you work with couples, in a way that is tailored to their needs – in simple, brief language will help them settle into that first session. It’s important to be directive with them and establish a balanced connection with each of them – without taking sides. You do this by being as gentle as possible and as firm as necessary.
Remember they’re not at their best
They may resist at first, but as you establish yourself as a confident and compassionate leader right from the start, they will recognize that you know what you’re doing. Most will tell you afterwards, how relieved they were that you didn’t “cave into the pressure and intensity they presented with.” However, they will also tell you that they only know this in hindsight and that they are grateful that you knew how to handle them.
What Therapists Need
To practice in this way, couples therapists need support, direction and encouragement from a more experienced couples therapist in case consultation and clinical supervision. Being a directive leader can feel counterintuitive especially for therapists that haven’t worked with couples before or for very long and those that are quiet and gentle by nature. While finding your way as a compassionate yet directive leader I encourage therapists to “focus on being as gentle as possible and as firm as necessary.” Remember, being firm is not being mean. It is treating the couple with respect and expecting them to manage their emotional intensity and behaviour.
It is essential that you have a space to process this work and how it affects you. And to develop your way of working with couples. Getting this support in a group setting has the added benefit of interactions with peers that are engaged in similar work and the opportunity to learn from each other. While you won’t give or receive clinical advice to peers (only supervisor does this) you’ll have interactions with peers and learn from each others questions and case presentations.
With over 15 years experience in full time private practice as a Couples Therapist, I know what it takes to help couples in counselling. I am passionate about helping you get good at doing the work you love and taking care of yourself in the process.
What You’ll get in Couple Therapy Supervision
In clinical supervision and consultation, in addition to helping when you get stuck, I will help you:
- become a confident and compassionate leader
- manage and clarify clients (often unrealistic) expectations
- manage the interactions between the partners
- manage the amount of content and prevent content overload
- set boundaries that keep the space safe and effective for you and them
- set realistic goals with couples
- do effective review sessions that celebrate progress and inform next steps
- establish your own way/style of working with couples
Will you Join Me?
I hope you’ll join me in a small community of peers designed specifically for Couple Therapists. You’ll have an opportunity to present a case and get support, direction and encouragement from me (peers do not offer direction) and learn from the presentations of your peers.
When presenting a case please arrive prepared. You will get a monitored amount of time to ensure everyone that has a case to present gets enough time. Following case presentations, we have a 10-15 minute period for questions and to highlight key take aways.
This is an experience you won’t want to miss! I hope to see you there.
Please schedule a Free 30 minute Consult Call with me before registering for a group to ensure it is a good fit for you and the group you wish to attend. For this call bring a case to discuss or questions about your couples counselling practice and see how you feel talking with me about it.
EVERY THURSDAY ONLINE 9:30-11 am
Max. 6 PPL * $75 per person
Registration Required
*all participants must complete and return a signed supervision agreement before attending.
Helping YOU Do What You Love…
Couple’s Therapy is not for everyone. You know this. Your peers say, “I don’t know how you do it.” and “Couple therapy is really hard!” They pass you referrals like “hot potatoes” and you happily receive them. The work is as rewarding as it is challenging. Until, the heat get’s to be too much and you start feeling the unwanted symptoms of burnout. You don’t have to manage this alone – please manage this in a community of supportive peers.
I’m here to help you, to support so you can keep doing the work you love. It’s important and much needed work AND taking care of yourself is more important. In this community, you will get the tools and guidance I wish I had when I was in your place. We will build on your strengths – you as the expert and me as your guide – and develop practices that work for you, that resonate with who you are as a couple therapist to better manage the heat of couple therapy.
Start with a No Charge 30 Min. Phone Consult
with Elizabeth Lacey as see what you think.
“I met with Elizabeth for supervision and she was fantastic! She provided great insight and created a safe space to share with her. If you are looking for a supervisor who can guide and support you in a caring and constructive way, Elizabeth is perfect for the job.”
Other Supervision Options
Individual and Dyadic (2 people) Supervision
Individual Supervision – $175 per hour
Dyadic Supervision – $87.50 per person, per hour
Read More About Elizabeth Lacey MSW RSW here
Oakridge Counselling specializes in Counselling for Women and Supervision For Couple Therapists.
With phone and online sessions throughout Ontario Canada