Inquiry into Shame in supervision - June 2014

Dear Reader – Just as we all know shame can be present in our coaching work, so can it also raise its head in supervision. Last year I undertook an inquiry to explore shame in supervision, particularly in relation to its impact on learning which completed my work on the Ashridge Advanced Supervisor qualification, ACOS. NowI am expanding my inquiry research to reach a wider audience.

I'd be very grateful if you could take a few moments to complete this questionnaire to support me in this research, and help me to share this work with the profession. Please return your completed questionnaire in the box provided at the end of the conference or personally to me before the end of the day. Thank you in advance.

Zoe Cohen

Section A: As a Supervisee

  1. During supervision as a supervisee have you ever experienced a moment or moments of shame?

Yes/No (please select)

  1. From your perspective, what factors influenced these moment/s coming about in supervision? Please list as many as you feel are relevant.
  1. Thinking of the most recent of these moments, what impact, if any, did the presence of shame in this supervision have on your learning? And why do you believe this was the case.
  1. Do you feel your supervisor at that time was aware of shame being in the field?
  1. To what extent did your supervisor work with this sensitively and effectively?
  1. What types or settings for supervision, if any, are likely to be shame-prone for you? Tick as many as apply:

Group supervision - stable group

Group supervision - one off or fluid group

One to one face to face supervision

One to one phone supervision

Supervision associated with being in training

Peer supervision

Other (please add)…………………………………………….

None

  1. In general, to what extent do you take ‘shame-prone’ material to supervision?
  1. Have you avoided taking something to supervision because of the sense of shame or embarrassment associated with it for you?
  1. Do you take the most difficult aspects of your work/practice to supervision?
  1. Is there an issue in your practice which evokes a sense of shame or embarrassment which you have not taken to supervision? If not, why not?
  1. What would help you to take more risks with what you take to supervision?
  1. In general, how long do you 'hold onto' issues before bringing them to supervision?
  1. What’s the longest you've kept hold of an issue before taking it to supervision?
  1. What impact did this have on your practice in the meantime?
  1. To what extent do you believe you could take more risk in what you take to supervision?
  1. To what extent do you believe it could be beneficial to do so?

Section B: As a Supervisor

  1. During supervision, as a supervisor, have you ever become aware that shame is in the field?

Yes/No (please select)

  1. As a supervisor, how do you notice shame in the field when you are supervising?
  1. How well equipped did your supervisor training help you to be for working with shame?
  1. How comfortable are you working with shame together with your supervisees?
  1. To what extent have you explored your own sources of shame in your own life?
  1. What factor/s have enabled you to deal with shame effectively in supervision?
  1. Have you ever been aware, in the moment or on reflection afterwards that your own shame or embarrassment got in the way of your supervision practice with a supervisee?
  1. To what extent have you been aware of shame in the organisational field when working with your supervisees?
  1. What do you believe is the potential impact of supervisees not bringing their shame prone issues to supervision?
  1. As a supervisor, do you feel that your supervisees take enough risks with what they bring to supervision?
  1. What further development, if any, do you feel would help you to work with shame more effectively in supervision?

THANK YOU for completing this questionnaire.

Please provide your contact details if you're happy for me to get in touch to discuss this briefly or follow up any specific questions:

Please do not feel obliged to leave your name here. If you do feel able to, I will happily send you a copy of my original inquiry if that would be of interest.

Name:Email:Mobile:

Zoë Cohen MA (Oxon), MPH, MSc, ACOS, ShineCoaching and ConsultancyPage 1 of 4

3 Brook House Court, Lymm, Cheshire, WA13 0GR, Tel: 07786 074741

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