If you are teaching mindfulness it is essential to have regular supervision. Supervision should provide a safe place to explore what is arising in mindfulness teaching and personal practice. I have found supervision to be essential for maintaining clarity, integrity, learning and safety for participants and myself. I receive 60 minutes supervision per month.
What is mindfulness supervision?
At its best, I would describe the supervision process as
- a partnership between equals
- agreeing to embark on a journey of discovery through exploration and not knowing
- reflecting on the experience of mindfulness teaching and personal practice.
- supported by the values of non-judging, non-striving, acceptance, compassion, confidentiality, kindly curiosity, patience, and trust.
- promoting the integrity and fidelity of the Mindfulness Based Intervention (MBI),
- securing the safety of the supervisee and individuals taught by the teacher.
- Promote professional and self development
To be registered with the British Association of Mindfulness Based Approaches (BAMBA) a teacher must have regular supervision with a supervisor registered with the BAMBA.
“Mindfulness supervision is a regular space that is contracted between the supervisor and supervisee, which enables reflection on the supervisee’s mindfulness teaching practice and how this interfaces with their personal mindfulness practice and their life. The process is dedicated to deepening understanding and to developing the effectiveness, integrity and safety of the supervisee’s application of mindfulness, both personally and in their working life”. (The UK Network of Mindfulness Teachers, 2016)
“The regularity, length and type of supervision should be negotiated with a more experienced supervisor with reference to the extent of teaching work being undertaken, the level of experience of teacher, and the requirements of the agency. As a general guide, an inexperienced teacher might agree to use a minimum of three hours supervision over the period of an eight week course. It is recommended that experienced teachers who teach regularly should have mindfulness supervision at least monthly during the periods that they are teaching. Peer supervision should be supplemented by having a named supervisor who has a role in monitoring quality”. (from Evans et al: A Framework for Supervision for Mindfulness- Based Teachers: a Space for Embodied Mutual Inquiry, 2014).
Bill has taught the following with Supervision
50 x Mindfulness Based Living Course (2 hr session per week x 8 weeks + retreat day)
15 x Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy to groups with anxiety and depression
4 x Compassion Based Living Courses (2 hr session per week x 9 weeks + retreat day)
2 x Insightfulness Training (2hr session per week for 9 weeks + retreat day)
17 x Mindfulness Based Stress and Resilience Training Courses (4 Day)
2 x Mindfulness Association Level 2: Compassion (3 weekends over 1 year)
Bill has completed
- (Feb 2018) Online Supervision Foundation Course with Fay Adams – devised and delivered by the Mindfulness Association Ltd.
- He is recognised and accredited to the UK National Listing of Mindfulness Teachers.
- He is part of the Mindfulness Association Supervision Team
- See CPD section
Please contact bill@bemindfulfife.co.uk