Hello, I’m Dee Holbourne. I offer supervision (which is also known as mentoring) to acupuncturists and other holistic health / wellbeing and integrative health professionals.
This may be in group supervision (in person) or one-to-one (in person or via video call).
What is supervision / mentoring ?
I hope you feel you are already well supported in your work! I want to let you know about how supervision can help you with your work, plus its effect on the rest of your life too. Or, as I like to call it super-vision, because of the insight I gain from it and I hope you will too.
Here’s some questions to reflect on – do they resonate with you?
- How do you cope with dealing with other peoples health worries and suffering?
- How do you support people when you don’t feel supported?
- Do I feel fullfilled by my work?
- How do you protect yourself from taking on clients/patients problems?
- Who listens to you without judgement when you talk about your work and what that work is like for you?
- Am I fully present with my patients / clients?
- How do you move forward with treatment when you find the client/patient difficult to work with?
- How do you avoid heading for burnout when things start to become overwhelming?
- Do I tell myself I’m OK, when I just avoid stepping back to look as I might find out things aren’t as good as I’d like?
- Does my practice enrich me emotionally?
- How are my relationships with other practitioners and professionals
- How do you survive your own inner critic?
- How do you cope when you don’t have enough clients/patients? Or too many? Why isn’t my practice thriving? Why do I have too few / too many patients / clients?
So, what supervision can do for you?
When you hear the word supervision and you’re not familiar with it, I can imagine it sounds like someone is going to look over your shoulder and judge your work. Whereas actually, it’s much more about having a dedicated person alongside you to look at things like your relationship with your clients/patients, how you manage stress at work and it might be about how you deal with a client/patient you feel stuck with.
Supervision is about empowerment!
Formative: Helping people in their professional development. Understanding our own abilities through reflection.
Normative: Helping people aspire to quality and competence in their work.
Restorative: Offering people support in the difficulties they experience and dealing with the emotional impact of work. Come away feeling renewed and invigorated.
Why does it matter to be in supervision?
I believe supervision supports people (especially those who work alone) in many ways. Such as having longevity at work (feeling able to do your job long term), avoiding burnout / compassion fatigue (at any level) and having a harmonious relationship with themselves around their work lives.
It’s a place of learning, growth and support where you never need to feel isolated when dealing with a challenge. You can work through any difficult issues and find a way forward and a place of resolution. Helping us to feel healthy and balanced in ourselves to help others with their needs
What you need from supervision may change as your practice develops. Newly qualified holistic health professionals can have unforeseen situations occur and may be looking for support with establishing their business, moving from theory to practice and interacting with clients/patients professionally. Where more established practitioners may speak about the effects of working alone, feeling supported and developing / deepening their knowledge.
Supervision can be delivered in a one-to-one setting or in a group. An environment of trust, support and sharing is encouraged. Participants at group supervision often talk about valuing working together with colleagues, combining knowledge and group members often find that when an concern is shared that other group members have (or have had) similar issues.
Topics in supervision might include:
- Boundaries
- Dealing with client issues
- Confidentiality
- Dealing with being self employed
- How do I deal with my inner critic?
- What do I want as a practitioner?
- Ethics
And many more
How can I have supervision with you if I’m not an acupuncturist too?
As well as other acupuncturists, I also supervise holistic health / wellbeing and integrative health professionals. This could be people from a wide range of complentary and holistic health backgrounds. Supervision is not profession specific, as my approach focuses on the universal aspects of helping work rather than technical clinical skills (though, of course, these often come up as part of the conversation). Drawing on my experience as a supervisor, mental health nurse and acupuncturist, I provide a reflective, non-judgemental space where practitioners can gain insight, prevent burnout and develop a more sustainable, fulfilling way of working, whatever their professional background. I also have experience of working alone, working in clinics, working in teams and being self-employed and the ups and downs that come with each of these scenarios.
A bit about me!
I first trained as a supervisor in 2003 when I was working as a mental health nurse – I’ve been supporting supervisees to flourish for many years. I now work as a traditional acupuncturist, and have been qualified for over 15 years. There’s more about me in this about me section. This website was written by me, so it may give you a little sense of who I am! If you would like to know more, please feel free to get in touch.
“No word of a lie. Dee genuinely cares about people’s wellbeing. She is always thoughtful, encouraging and supportive with inciteful observations and great encouragement.” – TH
I’m a member of the Mentoring and Supervision Network for Acupuncturists and Integrative Health Practitioners.
I receive my own supervision to help me offer the highest level of support to those attending supervision with me 
Attending super-vision: Cost, frequency and scheduling
You can attend for one-to-one supervision regularly or ad hoc as suits you. Most people find it’s useful to have a next date in the diary as it encourages continuing reflection on your practice. The cost of a session will vary and will be informed by how much you charge your clients and where we meet.
For group supervision (if there is space in a group for you), the frequency depends on the group members, but is usually 4-8 times a year. The cost depends on the number of people in the group and where we meet.
The cost to newly qualified practitioners is discounted for the first year.
All supervision session count towards your CPD requirements. And receipts will be provided.
Individual session can take place by video call or in person, group session are in person where ever possible.
In person location to be arranged, usually in the area covering Burnham-on-Sea / Glastonbury / Bridgwater / Langport / Cheddar / Wells in Somerset. Group locations can be further afield.
Often those starting supervision want some help as soon as possible and I try and accomodate this and offer a longer first appointment if that feels helpful. I offer supervision usually on Mondays, Thursdays and some evenings, other times can be discussed. Emergency ad hoc sessions are fitted in as soon as our diaries allow.
Contact me to discuss how I can help you on 07977993388 or use this form
“As practitioners we offer our patients guidance, support and encouragement – it seems a good idea to offer it to ourselves.” ~ Isobel Cosgrove
Recommendations:
“Dee listens in a very measured way, gently guiding you to find your solutions.” – AE
“Dee is a hugely warm and compassionate listener, who gives great thought and consideration to all that is brought, and offers a great balance of support and welcome challenge. I would highly recommend” – HC
“Having taken part in group work where Dee had the role of supervisor/mentor I can hand on heart say that Dee brings warmth and calm compassion to the role of supervisor. Her attentive non-judgemental approach allows you to feel safe to bring your concerns to the group and be supported to find your way through the complex issues that practice can bring. I would happily work with Dee again.” – MK
If you’d like to find out more, please contact me.
Or see my Facebook page Inspired Super-vision with Dee Holbourne
Or Instagram inspirationacupuncture
I am a member of the Mentoring and Supervision Network, denoting a high level of mentoring training. You can learn more about the 6 month training course on Mentoring/Supervision I did, here
I am a Registered Supervisor with the British Acupuncture Council and insured through them.
