Your First Supervision Session: What to Expect and How to Come Prepared

Starting your first supervision session as a provisional psychologist can feel both exciting and a little daunting. Whether you are commencing your 5+1 internship or are a provisional psychologist new to working with a supervisor, knowing what to expect and how to prepare can make all the difference.

What Is Supervision For?

Supervision is not simply a requirement. It is one of the most valuable professional development tools available to you as a provisional psychologist. Supervision allows you to begin to foster your own sense of professional identity and to examine your own beliefs and attitudes regarding clients and therapy. The more you engage in supervision, the better prepared you will be for independent practice.

What Happens in your first Supervision Session?

Supervision sessions for psychology in Australia are typically focused on providing guidance, support, and feedback to provisional psychologists as they work towards meeting the requirements for registration. While the format may vary between supervisors, you can generally expect your first session to cover:

• An introduction to your supervisor's approach and supervisory style
• A discussion of your goals, learning needs, and current experience
• An overview of the supervision agreement, including confidentiality, record keeping, and professional boundaries
• A review of the structure and requirements of your internship
• Initial discussion of your current caseload or client presentations if you have commenced practice

What to Expect in Ongoing Supervision Sessions

Once you are up and running, your ongoing sessions will generally focus on:

• Review of your clients and caseload
• Discussion and review of client treatment and case formulation
• Evidence-based intervention planning
• Professional development feedback and guidance
• Ethical and legal considerations
• Self-reflection on your practice
• Goal setting for your supervision journey
• Review of your logbooks/ supervision record keeping requirements 
• Ongoing reporting requirements 

For a more detailed breakdown of what each of these areas looks like in practice, read our full guide here:  https://www.provisionalpsych.com.au/blog/what-should-i-expect-in-a-supervision-session 

 How to Come Prepared

The more prepared you are, the more you will get out of each session. Here are some practical steps to take before your first supervision session:

1. Bring your internship documentation. Have a copy of your approved INPP-76, your position description, and any relevant internship forms ready to refer to. Your supervisor will want to understand your approved work role and the context in which you are practising.
2. Prepare an agenda. Setting an agenda at the commencement of supervision and preparing topics to take to supervision will ensure the content covered meets your needs as the supervisee. Even for your first session, having a few questions or topics ready signals that you are engaged and ready to learn.
3. Reflect on your goals. Think about what you hope to gain from supervision. Consider your clinical strengths, the areas you would like to develop, and any specific presentations or skills you are keen to work on during your internship.
4. Know your reporting requirements. Familiarise yourself with any logbook or supervision record keeping requirements and understand what needs to be recorded after each session. Your supervisor may want to discuss how you will track your hours and progress from the outset.
5. Be honest about where you are at. Your first session is not a test. It is the beginning of a professional relationship built on trust, honesty, and open communication. Your supervisor is there to support your development, and the more transparent you are about your experience and areas of uncertainty, the more targeted and effective their guidance will be.

Ready to Find a Supervisor?

If you are yet to secure a Board Approved Supervisor, we can help. Our team of over 50 board approved supervisors are available nationally across a range of clinical specialties and supervision styles.

Request a Supervisor HERE 
Find a Supervisor HERE
Apply for a Supervision Scholarship HERE