The Building Blocks Reflective Supervision Model

ABSTRACT

The Building Blocks supervisory team is committed to providing and maintaining a safe environment for therapists to reflectively process their work with underserved and high-risk families. Therapists regularly meet with supervisors in group and in one-on-one meetings. In the nonjudgmental and supportive environment of the supervision, therapists give detailed descriptions of their work and share video recordings of their sessions. The therapists feel safe to express their feelings, concerns, fears, and conflicts about doing this demanding work. In the safe supervision space, ruptures that might arise between therapists or between supervisor and therapist are processed and repaired, resulting in deeper communication and stronger relational bonds. Good communication in the supervision group and in individual supervisory relationships promotes mentalization, which has a direct impact on the therapeutic work with underserved and high-risk families, who need so much. Feeling cared for, the therapists can stay open, eager, and compassionate. The parents and children under their care resonate deeply with their therapists’ heartfelt desire to help.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Andrea Remez

Andrea Remez, Ph.D. is on the teaching and supervising faculty of the National Institute for the Psychotherapies Psychoanalytic Institute. She is a graduate of the Anni Bergman Parent Infant Therapy Program. She is a supervisor for the New Alternatives for Children Building Blocks Program. She is in private practice where she works with adults, couples and parent-infant dyads.