Podcast: Shame in Supervision

‘Practice Matters’, Rory speaks with Dr. Ruth Birkbeck about a powerful and often unspoken topic: shame in supervision. We explore what it looks like, how it can impact both supervision and client work, and what can be done to repair it.

Podcast title is: Shame in Supervision – (theme of a workshop Dr Ruth Birkebaek presented at MIP Supervision Conference in 2024, Manchester). The podcast is published on Counselling Tutor Podcast website: Episode 342, launched in June 2025

How the power dynamics in the supervisory relationship can foster shame. Sometimes the archaic relational needs or the transference-countertransference dyad of the supervisor may be activated in the supervisory relationship interrupting contact. This lack of contact from the supervisor may activate script believes in the supervisee and then shame invades the relationship – nondisclosure becomes the supervisee’s self-protective mechanism against shame.

How can we repair our own misattunement and build safety when shame enters the supervisory relationship?