11 must-have supervision resources recommended by Australian clinical supervisors

Books to inspire and guide in supervision

'Inspiring Creative Supervision' by Caroline Schuck and Jane Wood

Shared by Rae Sabine, an Arts Therapist, Psychotherapist and Supervisor in Naarm, Melbourne. Rae's area of practice includes Neurodivergent and LGBTQIA+, with speciality in Trans and Gender Diversity.

You can connect with Rae on Instagram here.

'This book has inspired some ideas for my many of my supervision sessions. For example, taking out my toys and mini figures in order to invite some supervisees to delve into reflecting on how interpersonal dynamics show up in their work.'

'Reflective Practice in Supervision' by Daphne Hewson and Michael Carroll

Recommended by Natalie Jack, Professional Supervisor, Registered Music Therapist, Registered Counsellor and Mental Health First Aid Instructor, (Online/Melbourne & Australia wide in person). Natalie offers supervision and supervision training to allied health and related professionals, and mental health counselling, music therapy, and Mental Health First Aid to everyone.

You can connect with Nat on LinkedIn here.

'This book is the culmination of the authors’ two lifetimes of work in supervision, and has provided me with a deep understanding around the role of reflection in supervision practice. The easily accessible information, case examples and exercises in the book and its companion workbook ’The Reflective Practice Toolkit’ have helped to improve both my supervision practice and my supervision training'.

'Justice-Doing at The Intersections of Power' by Vikki Reynolds

Shared by Amber Rules, Director and Founder of Rough Patch Affordable Counselling; Clinical Director of Sydney Addictions Recovery; Addictions Support Specialist, Clinical Supervisor, Mental Health Educator. Based in Gadigal and Wangal Country (Inner West, so-called Sydney) and online, Amber supports people who use substances and affected others, through a radical harm-reduction and compassion-based lens.

Connect with Amber on Instagram here.

'In the first few pages of the book, Reynolds says: “The people I work alongside don’t burn me out and they don’t hurt me: they transform me, challenge me and inspire me. What harms me are the injustices and indignities suffered by clients, and my frustrating inability to personally change the unjust structures of the society they struggle with and live in.” The book helped me dig deeper into the pain I have always felt as a therapist who ultimately wields very little power to elicit change in the oppressive systems that cause people to need therapeutic support in the first place, and find tangible ways to resist these structures while taking care of myself and my community'.

'Daring Greatly' by Brené Brown

Andrea Szasz, a Clinical Supervisor and Registered Clinical Psychotherapist, practising in Woollahra/Online shared her favourite supervision resource. Andrea specialises in in trauma/developmental trauma and attachment. Andrea provides workshops and supervision in these areas for practitioners.

Connect with Andrea on Instagram

'In my role as a psychotherapy supervisor, I often reflect on Brené Brown's insights from "Daring Greatly" about vulnerability and courage. Just as our clients need a safe space to explore their inner worlds, therapists too need supervision that allows them to be vulnerable about their challenges and doubts. When we create a supervision environment where "not knowing" is seen as an opportunity for growth rather than a professional shortcoming, we allow deeper learning to emerge. Like a garden that needs both sunshine and rain to flourish, therapeutic development requires both validation and gentle challenging within the supervisory relationship. Brown's work reminds us that embracing our own vulnerability as supervisors - acknowledging when we're uncertain or moved by our supervisees' experiences - models the authentic presence that we hope our supervisees will bring to their own therapeutic relationships'.

'Supervision in the Helping Professions' by Peter Hawkins, Aisling McMahon, Robin Shohet, Judy Ryde and Joan Wilmot.

Recommended by Jodie Gale, a PACFA Accredited Clinical Supervisor + Eco-Psycho-Spiritual Registered Clinical Psychotherapist in Sydney & Online. Jodie offers business coaching for private practice success and clinical supervision for trauma and disordered eating from a psychotherapeutic perspective.

Connect with Jodie on Instagram here.

'Supervision in the Helping Professions provided me - and continues to do so - with a clear structure for navigating the different layers of supervision. The seven-eyed model, with its focus on multiple perspectives—including the wider context—resonates with the psychosynthesis model of supervision, which Shohet also references'.

'Getting the best out of supervision in counselling & psychotherapy: A guide for the supervisee' by Mary Creaner.

Suggested by Lindy Spanger, a Registered Clinical Psychotherapist and Accredited PACFA Supervisor in Naarm / Melbourne. Lindy offers Soul Centred Depth Psychotherapy in private practice as well as group supervision and one on one supervision.

Connect with Lindy on LinkedIn here.

'I enjoyed the fact that it’s really straight forward and engaging. It was a good to read something that offered frame works and was clear when starting out as a supervisor. Just accessible and easy to navigate'.

'In Love with Supervision:
Creating Transformative Conversations' by Robin Shohet and Joan Shohet

Recommended by Minky van der Walt, a PACFA Accredited Clinical Supervisor, Registered Music Therapist and Registered Clinical Counsellor working in Nipaluna, Hobart and online. Minky is the Director of Tempo Therapy and Consulting and creator of 2025 Compass: your practical, creative roadmap to thriving in healthcare, an 8 week online professional learning program for health professionals.

Connect with Minky on Instagram here.

'Robin and Joan are true pioneers in the area of supervision and lead the way with vision, care and humanity. I love the holistic and process-focused approach to supervision embraced by Robin and Joan and stepped out in this book.'

'The Making of a Therapist' by Lou Cozolino

Shared by Claudia Da Silva, a Registered Supervisor & Registered Counsellor (Australian Counselling Association & PACFA) in Whadjuk Noongar Country, Perth, WA & Online. Claudia provides supervision and mentoring in relation to trauma work, child sexual abuse, family and domestic violence, general counselling and couple work.

Connect with Claudia on Instagram here.

This book is more than just a guide—it feels like a conversation with a wise mentor, reminding us that becoming a therapist is as much about personal growth as it is about clinical skills. It embraces the challenges, uncertainties, and triumphs of the learning process. Cozolino speaks to the heart of what it means to develop as a therapist, highlighting the importance of self-awareness, relational depth, and the courage to sit with discomfort—both our own and our clients’. His reflections remind me of the privilege we have as supervisors: to walk alongside developing therapists, offering a safe space for exploration, vulnerability, and growth. This book reinforces that supervision is not just about refining techniques, but about nurturing the therapist’s confidence, resilience, and ability to stay present in the work.

Articles and cards as reflective resources in supervision

A Vision for Supervision: strengths-based questions for reflective conversations. Cards cards by Roger Lowe and Russell Deal

Reflective cards recommended by Jeanette Kennelly, PhD, Registered Music Therapist and Clinical Supervisor in Meanjin/Brisbane and online. Jeanette offers supervision and professional learning to health and education professionals.

Connect with Jeanette on Facebook

'This set of cards by Roger Lowe and Russell Deal may support and prompt moments in guiding conversations in supervision. I've found them invaluable when supervisees get a bit stuck in knowing where to start, hearing things from a different perspective, wondering what next etc….. Very useful!'

Attachment in Supervision: Using a Relational Lens to Understand Supervisory Dynamics (an article by Salam Soliman)

Suggested by Melissa Ferrari, a PACFA Accredited Clinical Supervisor, Psychotherapist and Couples Counsellor, in Australia and Internationally. Melissa provides psychotherapy to individuals and Couples Counselling using the PACT model called A Psychobiological Approach to Couple Therapy.

Connect with Melissa on Instagram here.

'As a psychotherapist I have always found looking at a clients life through the lens of attachment to be incredibly powerful. Using this lens of attachment theory with supervisees helps me understand how to work with them by using this understanding to help them grow in the areas of vulnerabilities and strengths around how they work relationally with their clients.'

Experienced art therapists’ perceptions of the EDPP supervision model and its impact on their professional work and identity, an article by Lis-Rona, Gavrona & Bat.

Shared by Dr Carla van Laar, Artist, Creative Arts Therapist, Registered Clinical Counsellor and PACFA Accredited Supervisor in Boon Wurrung Country, Inverloch, Victoria. Carla offers creative supervision for individuals and small groups online and in-person and am the initiator of “Supervision Studio”, a unique process-led approach to creative, small group supervision. Through my independent practice, I offer Creative Arts Therapy sessions in my studio, outdoors in nature, and online. I organise an annual, four day, immersive professional development event, the ‘Creative Mental Health Forum’ in Inverloch.

Connect with Carla on LinkedIn here.

'I love how this article resists the clinification of creative arts therapy supervision and reminds supervisors of the implicit ways of knowing that are embedded in arts based practices. I’ve introduced the one canvas idea in supervision with a number of supervisees this year and we are excited to see how using this process unfolds. It is wonderfully adaptable to online supervision, and adds a sense of continuity to our supervisory relationship. We envisage that documenting and reviewing the supervision canvas over time will be a way of mapping the supervision journey and making visible the evolution of professional identity and personal process.'

Many thanks to all who contributed!

If you would like to add your top recommendations for supervision to this list, feel free to send your suggestions through here.