Gien Donovan

I mostly tend to work on Tuesday and Wednesday but on occasion can be available on other days.

I feel passionate about regular supervision (fortnightly or if needed weekly) and see it as an essential part of our work as therapists. I think it is an important space for thinking and reflecting on your practice. 

The dynamic between Supervisor and Supervisee can work as an important insight into the relationship between you as the therapist and your client.

I try and be as transparent and supportive as I can, whilst not shying away from challenge when appropriate. Creating a safe space to explore all aspects of your work is important

I feel supervision is an ongoing learning space for both supervisee and supervisor. I would encourage you to be as open and honest as you can be, in order to be the best therapist you can be.

I work very much with Relationship in mind, both of the supervisee/supervisor and client/therapist. 

I equally try and honour my core training, which has been in psychodynamic therapy and although I am influenced by other modalities, I am very interested in the experiences we have had during the first few years of our life. I feel that they are part of our blue-print and will inform us of how we operate in the here and now.

So although we can think about your client in other ways too, I tend to encourage you to be curious about their early years and the experiences they have had.

I offer an initial exploratory session in which we can discuss your needs and experience as a therapist, as well as number of clients, which may determine the frequency of supervision. 

Sessions are 50 minutes long.

The first time we meet will be an opportunity for us both to see if this is the right 'fit'. It is very important that you feel comfortable and at ease with my way of working and equally it is important for me to know that I can actually support you. If I have any doubts I will endeavour to refer you to a more qualified colleague.

At the first session I will mention what my 'contract' with you entails. I will encourage you to make supervision notes in order to feel supported the next time you meet with your client. 

Depending on your experience as a therapist we may spend some time thinking about all the ins and outs of your own practice in order to establish a solid base for you to work from.  

I am very happy to help in all the different ways you need to be supported.  

I tend to work part time and mainly see clients on either Tuesday or Wednesday. 

My hours are from 8.30 am and working into the evening. 

I know how hard it can be to ask for help. Once you have made contact with me, I will normally suggest an initial exploratory session, which will give you the opportunity to get a feel for how I work and whether I am the right therapist for you.

You will decide what you would like to work on and depending on what we find out along the way, we will both decide how long this piece of work will be.  

Once agreed to work together, we will meet at the same time on the same day every week.

When you decide to stop therapy, I would like the opportunity to have a final session with you, in order for the work to have a proper ending.

I find that talking helps. My core training has been in psychodynamic therapy and although I work with other modalities, I am very interested in the experiences we have had during the first few years of our life and feel that they are part of our blue-print and will inform us of how we operate in the here and now.

The first time we meet will be an opportunity for us both to see if this is the right 'fit'. It is very important that you feel comfortable and at ease with my way of working and equally it is important for me to know that I can actually support you. If I have any doubts I will endeavour to refer you to a more qualified colleague.

I will explain how the sessions will work and what my 'contract' with you entails. It will take a little time for you to get used to this new way of being, as our relationship will be quite different from any social relationship in the outside world.