Clinical supervision: practising with it and providing it

1On the exam (CRPO's words)

• Area 7 of CRPO's blueprint, Make use of supervision, is at least 3 to 5% of the assessment and maps to Competency 3.5 (Resource Manual).
• CRPO does not publish how many points any one competency carries within the area.

2What CRPO asks of you (3.5)

• Initiate clinical supervision or consultation when appropriate or required.
• Articulate the parameters of supervision or consultation.
• Protect client privacy and confidentiality, making disclosure only where permitted or required.
• Initiate a legal consultation when necessary.

3When you practise with supervision (4.2.1)

• Your registration category requires it.
• You encounter a challenging client situation.
• You are expanding your area of practice.
• A CRPO committee orders it.

4Practising with supervision (4.2)

• Enter and follow a supervision agreement, and take part in a professional, curious and engaged way: case history, presenting issues, complex clinical or ethical questions.
• CRPO's recommended minimum for a newer practitioner such as an RP (Qualifying): about one hour per week.
• For an RP working toward independent practice: about one hour every two weeks; shorter meetings as needed.
• Once the required hours are done, keep meeting regularly until you meet every independent practice requirement.

5Your clients (4.2)

• Tell clients you practise with clinical supervision.
• Tell them they may contact the supervisor directly with questions or concerns.
• Get informed consent when information identifying the client is shared, for example when the supervisor reviews your records.

6Your supervision record

• The supervisee keeps it: the supervisor's name and contact information, a copy of the agreement, dates and hours, the format (individual, dyadic or group) and the issues discussed.

7The hours CRPO counts

• RP (Qualifying) to RP: 100 hours of supervision and 450 direct client contact hours.
• Independent practice: 1,000 direct client contact hours and 150 hours of supervision over your career; until then, ongoing supervision is a term, condition and limitation on your certificate.
• For supervision, at least half the required hours in an individual or dyadic format.
• Group hours count only in groups of eight or fewer supervisees (since 1 April 2022); structured peer groups count if formal and include a qualified supervisor.
• Informal "peer supervision", unstructured talk about clients with colleagues, is not accepted for registration.

8Who may supervise (CRPO's current criteria)

1. Registered in good standing with a college whose members may practise psychotherapy.
2. Five years' extensive clinical experience in psychotherapy since graduating.
3. CRPO's independent practice hours met.
4. 30 hours of directed learning in providing supervision (coursework only, for those starting on or after 1 April 2026).
5. CRPO's learning module on clinical supervision completed.

9Providing supervision (4.1)

• Registrants provide clinical supervision only if they are qualified to do so (4.1.1): it is not an entry-to-practice competency.
• A written agreement, signed and kept by all parties: goals, responsibilities, who has ultimate responsibility for clients, format and method, meetings, client information and confidentiality, fees, feedback, emergencies, conflicts, renewal or ending.
• Meet on a predetermined schedule that fits the supervisee's needs, and support and evaluate their progress.
• Document the discussions and directions given, with names, dates, hours and any fees.

10A supervisor's conduct (4.1 commentary)

• There is a power imbalance, as with clients: sexual misconduct, undue influence and abuse are unacceptable; keep confidentiality within agreed limits.
• Avoid conflicting roles, such as supervising and providing therapy to the same person.
• Make mandatory reports if a supervisee engages in unsafe practice: misconduct or incompetence that puts clients at risk, not a mistake shared to learn.
• Supervising an unregulated practitioner: they are not presented as a psychotherapist and do not perform the controlled act.