1. Dr. Stephan Natynczuk And Dr. Elspeth Schwenk
Adventure Therapy and Supervision – Fighting Burnout – Emotional First Aid for Practitioners Part B
Dr. Stephan Natynczuk
And
Dr. Elspeth Schwenk

2. Supervision offers: A point of regular reflection – to
explore & reflect on the way you work
A different perspective on your practice
A time to consider what went well (why & how) and what was missed or overlooked and how to remedy this for next time
A safe space in which to become more aware of how you (and others) affect, and are affected by, clients
A safe place to offload and recharge your batteries and gain support

3. Discussion about what is appropriate in a particular setting or context & potential ethical concerns
A blend of feedback and challenge regarding your work
The potential for new ideas and research
Support & guidance identifying issues for therapy or additional training /professional development
It ensures a duty of care is extended to both the participant (client) & the professional, & the monitoring of best practice
Supervision
offers

4. It is important supervision has:
some form of structure and format
is undertaken on a regular basis
is both personal and professional in offering a safe, reflective space
is not seen/experienced as or replaces but works alongside line management
offers a critical appreciation of the factors associated with ‘adventure’ & ‘‘therapy’

5. 7 Key Aspects to consider in establishing a supervision contract:
1. Context
2. Contract details
3. Boundaries, relationships & responsibilities
4. Expectations, ethics - a Duty of Care
5. Task, purpose and Limitations
6. The training & development needs of the practitioner
7. Focus & process approach – the supervision model

6. 1. Context of Supervision
Context: Refers to the
setting, purpose &
philosophy of the relationship between
the outdoor/adventure
& therapy

7. Contract:
2. Contract
Who is
Responsible
to whom
and for what?

8. 2.a Some Contractual aspects to consider:
Working with young and/or vulnerable
clients
Working in groups vs 1-1
What are appropriate levels of
supervision?
Issues related to working in a public
v.s. isolated space
Managing issues of power and authority,
confidentiality
Establishing an agreed code of ethics –
related to one’s professional ‘home’

9. 2.b. Specific Contract details:
- What to bring to supervision vs
what to take to line management
- Fitness to practice issues & what
steps are in place when this is in question
Duty of care issues to client & practitioner
- Managing boundaries, relationships & responsibilities

10. 3. Boundaries, relationships & responsibilities
What is expected?
Who is referring?
Client
Referring Agency
Practitioner
Supervisor
Agency
What boundaries need to be in place for a supervisor/manager?
What is not known?

11. Working with difference, respecting issues of equality and diversity
Managing confidentiality
Managing organisational
dynamics
Reflecting upon the therapeutic dynamics & well being amongst participants, leaders & colleagues

12. 4. Expectations & Duty of Care
Who has professional responsibility?
What is the extent of that responsibility?
What procedures are in place?
The organisation & its Adventure Therapy Practitioners need to be clear & regarding the law & child & Vulnerable People Protection issues.

13. 5. Stage of Development practitioner competence & development
(capability vs limitations)
do I have what I need?
how can I develop further?
review the outcome of interventions
Client needs
level of personal, physical,
emotional & cognitive development .

14. who the is the outdoor & adventure therapy for? hidden agenda?
6. Task, Purpose & limitations
who the is the outdoor & adventure therapy for?
hidden agenda?
- desired outcome of the referring agency
- implicit/explicit contract between agencies
What is the potential for client resistance?
client preference & voice?
‘who’ is the client?
expectations & issues regarding power &
autonomy within the adventure therapy relationship

15. 6a. Reflection on the ‘wobble’
Disequilibrium is a key
component of adventure
therapy & is dependent
upon the levels of trust within
the Therapeutic Alliance.
As a supervisor, I’d want to
explore this frequently - for both
client and practitioner…..

16. 6b. Who is having the adventure? And is it therapeutic?
For safe practice purposes, the adventure therapist does not work alone, but is often accompanied by a third person – who witnesses the therapeutic process.
Their role in relation to the Adventure Therapist & client needs to be fully explored …
The question regarding supervision of this individual should be explored – especially if either the therapeutic process , or the adventure aspect, became traumatic or or personally disturbing.

17. 6c. Outcome and Reflection
In adventure therapy something happens for everyone!
Supervision enables the practitioner to reflect upon:
the contract
the client
the relationships
the activity (what went well, what was unexpected, how things could be done differently etc… ) and the ‘shadow side’
Supervision offers a 360 review and de-brief & a way to capture and consider the event and process

18. 6d. Generative support Supervision encourages the practitioner:
to look inwards - a process encouraged for the client
to think about what is going on for them - how they feel about themselves…
in relation to the client,
the ‘third person’,
the contract, &
the outcome….

19. Solution Focussed Model - Waskett
7. Focus & process approach:
models of Supervision
Cyclical Model – Page & Wosket
Developmental Model – Stoltenberg & Delworth
7-eyed model – Hawkins & Shohet
Egan’s 3 Stage Model
Person Centred Model
The Relationship Model – Inskipp & Proctor
Solution Focussed Model - Waskett