Coaching Supervision

Every day, coaches, mentors and supervisors support their clients in situations involving a mix of emotions, strategic issues, complex relationships and difficult decisions. They listen, ask questions, offer support, challenge and encourage.

But who can they turn to to lighten their burden? Where can they take a step back to reflect on their practice, explore their doubts, acknowledge their blind spots and continue to grow professionally? That is precisely the role of supervision.

Supervision is a space for transformation. What the coach cannot detect on their own becomes visible through the eyes of the supervisor. What seemed complex or fuzzy becomes meaningful. What felt burdensome becomes lighter. Supervision is a confidential space for reflection and professional development, facilitated by an experienced supervisor. It is neither about controlling nor evaluating practice. It offers a safe space for dialogue that allows the practitioner to develop their discernment, their quality of presence, and their professional maturity. Because situations are often complex, supervision helps practitioners gain perspective, better understand what is at play in the relationship with the client, and broaden their understanding of individual, relational, and systemic dynamics.

The quality of coaching does not solely depend on the coach’s technical skills. It also depends on their ability to remain clear-headed, aware of their own reactions, attentive to the sometimes invisible aspects of the relationship, and capable of continually adjusting their approach.

Supervision enables:

• to take a step back when faced with complex situations;
• to explore your stance in ethical dilemmas;
• to identify your blind spots, biases and personal preferences;
• to develop your judgement and reflective practice;
• to strengthen your professional identity;
• a better understanding of systemic aspects of your coaching, mentoring or supervision;
• to conserve your energy and prevent caregiver burnout;
• to continue developing throughout your career.

Supervision enables you to view your practice ‘from the balcony’, so you can gain a better understanding of the wider system within which each of your interventions takes place.

Supervision benefits all parties.

• For the professional it promotes continuous learning and development, clarity, confidence, professional maturity and well-being.
• For your clients it provides an additional guarantee of quality, competence, safety and ethical standards.
• For organisations it helps to ensure that support is provided in the most professionally responsible and relevant manner, and that it is best suited to the complexity of today’s environment.

Supervision is also a space for support. It helps the practitioner to remain fully present for others, without losing sight of themselves.
Supervision according to the EMCC

The EMCC defines supervision as:
‘A safe space for reflective dialogue with a practising supervisor, supporting the supervisee’s practice, professional development and well-being.’

For the EMCC, supervision is one of the cornerstones of professional excellence. It supports a responsible, ethical, reflective and inclusive practice, in accordance with the Global Code of Ethics of the EMCC. It constitutes also an essential component of accreditation.

EMCC Belgium actively encourages its members to incorporate supervision into their professional development.

In this regard, a financial contribution of €80 is granted to any member who takes part in four supervision sessions per year with an accredited ESIA supervisor listed on the list of accredited supervisors.

To benefit from this offering, all you need to do is send a request to the Treasurer of EMCC Belgium, accompanied by a certificate issued by the supervisor confirming attendance at the four sessions.

If you are ESIA accredited and are not yet included on the EMCC Belgium list of supervisors, please contact Cathy Van Beneden (cathy [dot] van [dot] beneden [at] emccbelgium [dot] org) to be added to the list.