Revising and Innovating our Methods

As mentors or supervisors, we each have our own methodologies and techniques that we like to use when working with our clients. These may differ by mentor’s/supervisor’s skillset and preference, or they may change based on the client’s needs. However, one thing that is always true is that no method is perfect. Any approach we take should be carefully reflected on and altered if need be. Even the most seasoned and wise mentors/supervisors need to revise their methods depending on the situation: revising is part of the process to see the best outcomes. 

Creative Innovation 

Let’s say that you are reflecting on your most recent session with a client. You can begin by asking yourself some basic questions like “What worked?” and “What didn’t work?” Perhaps, you feel that it was a good session overall, but that your client was having trouble expressing certain emotions. What might unlock new ways of approaching these emotions? You might consider some creative solutions like asking “What color describes this feeling?” 

Beginning and Ending a Session the Right Way

From the moment the client enters the room, there are behaviors you can observe and reflect upon later. Did they seem tired? Anxious? Cheerful? Defensive? Were there questions that seemed especially difficult for them to answer, or ones that they avoided all together? How was the flow of conversation throughout? Was there a natural rhythm? Did we address the points I hoped to address? 

Concluding a session can be tricky, because the issues being discussed are ongoing, and resolving all problems in a single session is nearly always impossible, but it is important for our client to leave on the right note, ready to reflect on the session themselves. We want it to feel natural and unrushed, while still making progress in the conversation. We want to build on the topics we are discussing, but to make sure that we are not ending the session in the middle of an emotional revelation. There should always be a few minutes to be able to check in, and wind-down from a difficult conversation. As we are when bringing a session to the end, I like to ask if my client is comfortable leaving the conversation there? I often ask “What have you gained so far? What will you continue to think about between now and next time? What reflection questions will you ask yourself?”  

Get feedback from your client:

There is no reflection without a mirror to show you perspectives you can’t easily see, just as you provide a mirror for your client to better see themself, they can provide a mirror back to help you become a better mentor/supervisor. The client is a valuable resource when you want to revise or innovate your methodologies, as they provide a first person account of how they are experiencing the sessions. They are constantly providing feedback during the season with their levels of engagement, their facial expressions and their body language. You can also directly ask them what they want and how they feel the sessions are going: What do you want more of? What do you want less of in our sessions? How are we progressing together? 

Resources: 

If you are uncertain about whether or not your client has a clear picture of their own health, or if you are unsure about how to move forward with the client, there are always tools to help at Verve Lead. Go to https://vervelead.com/tools/#profile to see what we offer. 
In our mentor/supervision essentials cohort we train people to facilitate this assessment. https://vervelead.com/mentor-growth-track/mentor-essentials/ and register your interest for the next course.