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Clinical Supervision
Kate Harper, PhD, RP, CCS
​Thank you for your interest in Supervision at Insight-Online
Supervision Framework & Philosophy
Are you looking to work deeper with clients? I am an integrative therapist/supervisor and use a contemporary psychodynamic and analytic lens, which means attachment and relational patterns, past and present, are what I am primarily listening for. I aim to help supervisees integrate this lens with other modalities, particularly if they want to work more deeply and long-term with clients. This framework pays attention to thoughts, feelings, and behaviours (symptoms) but goes deeper to gently and safely get to the past hurt, pain, loss, or grief below the surface; we look to help the client gain insight into the unconscious processes that may be driving their current relationships. We help them recognize their patterns; thus, clients begin to know themselves and understand how they show up in their lives. This integrative dynamic will provide clinicians with the language and techniques necessary to help them help their clients feel safe to talk about childhood wounds and trauma that may still be consciously or unconsciously playing out in their current lives. Moreover, research suggests that psychodynamic work can provide longer and more permanent client change (See Shedler).
My primary aim is to help therapists integrate psychodynamic/attachment frameworks with any other modality they may use. I have extended training in individual therapies such as CBT, DBT, Humanistic, Solution-Focused, Trauma, Mentalization, Spiritually-Integrated, Polyvagal, Internal Family Systems (IFS - Level 1), Couples (U of G Advanced Couple and Family Therapy Certificate), EFT (Level 1 and 2), Gottman (Level 1 and 2), CI (Compassionate Inquiry), Narrative, and MI, to name only a few. I have experience with neurodivergence and training in Trauma and Attachment-Based Family Therapy (ABFT).
As an Associate Professor in psychology and psychotherapy for more than 20 years, a clinician since 2005, and a clinical supervisor since 2015, I firmly believe that the foundation of providing effective counselling for clients is based on a therapist’s ability to stay true to themselves and create strong therapeutic relationships. This is often done while staying in the present moment with clients (see Stern, 2004). Accordingly, my supervision philosophy emphasizes the therapist's ability to be with the client while at the same time being with themselves in the clinical setting. Linking theory to practice while considering the clinician's emotional reactions in the consulting room is essential to help the supervisee critically reflect on their SEUS (safe and effective use of self).
About Me
I am a Registered Psychotherapist (CRPO) and Canadian Certified Counsellor-Supervisor (CCS) through the CCPA. I hold a Ph.D. in Research Psychology (Neuropsychoanalysis), so this brain-based somatic framework can be integrated if it is helpful for case conceptualization. I am a clinical fellow in Neuropsychoanalysis, and I will add this knowledge to my supervision if the client presents with primary activation in one of the seven emotional systems.
I support psychotherapy interns, RPQs, and fully licensed professionals as they journey to create or expand their professional identity. I emphasize self-reflection, case conceptualization, and skill building but also focus on intentionality when considering specific modalities and techniques.
I hope you will book a free consultation to discuss your supervision needs (individual, dyadic, group), and I can tell you more about how I can support you and your clients.​
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Neuropsychoanalysis
Neuropsychoanalysis is a field of study that brings neuroscientists, psychoanalysts, and psychotherapists together to understand better the whole person, mind, body, and spirit. Integrating objective science (neuroscience) with the subjective experiences of clients in therapy can help both clients and therapists. The field was created in 1999 by Dr. Mark Solms, a psychoanalyst and neuropsychologist. Solms sat on my Ph.D. committee and leads a clinical case conference supervision group I attend monthly to continue my Neuropsychoanalysis Fellowship.
Panksepp's Seven Emotional Systems
Neuropsychoanalysis is grounded on the work of Mark Solms (psychoanalysis/neuropsychology) and Jaak Panksepp (1943-2017), who discovered that animals and human brains are wired functionally and chemically to have seven primary emotional systems. These systems are attachment-based, adaptive, biological, and necessary for survival. These emotional systems expand, from a contemporary affective neuroscience lens, on the work of Freud's drive systems. Below are Panksepp's seven emotional systems, and you will note that there are two types of fear systems: 1) Fear/Anxiety and 2) Panic/Separation. What I do in supervision is help supervisees who are interested in neurodynamic support for their clients to understand better which type of anxiety their client might have Or what other emotional systems might be driving their presenting problems in psychotherapy. Depending on the most prevalent emotional system, the therapy may differ.
Is anger driving your client? How might understanding the Rage system help? Does your client use addiction as a coping/defence mechanism? How might understanding the Seeking system help to support them? These are how I work with the various emotional systems.
Below is an interview with Dr. Mark Solms, the founder of Neuropsychoanalysis. He explains the field's clinical importance.
Supervision Goals & Options
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The CRPO will approve individual, Dyadic, and Group Supervision hours as I meet the CRPO's qualifications. The goals of supervision are:
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To provide support with Clinical Questions and Cases
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To utilize Anti-oppressive practices and keep Ethics and Power Dynamics top of mind
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To help supervisees continue to grow and reflect on their Safe and Effective use of Self (SEUS) in clinical settings
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To help supervisees bring Transference and Countertransference issues to conscious awareness with clients and learn how to use it to support the clients and their own personal and professional development
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To support new practitioners with Private practitioners - practice questions are welcome
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To provide Collegiality and Support
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To provide broad supervision with various modalities. My lens is psychodynamic, attachment, trauma-based, and relational. Still, I have experience and training to support other modalities as I work from a client-centered framework. Psychodynamic therapy is not a one-size-fits-all modality, nor are the other modalities (CTB, DBT, SF, IFS, EFT, etc., to name only a few); so, I take an integrative approach depending on what the therapist feels they might need for their client.
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To facilitate case formulations using a "Compassionate Inquiry" lens developed by Dr. Gabor Maté, I completed his 10-week Suicide Attention Training. This non-pathologizing approach grounds my work with clients, students, and supervisees.
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For the supervisor to facilitate the co-creation of a safe and welcoming environment for supervisees.
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I do not Supervise cases below 16 years of age.
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AS OF JUNE 21, 2024, SUPERVISION IS EXEMPT FROM HST!
Individual Options
CRPO Supervision Information
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The CRPO "recommends that a newer practitioner such as an RP(Qualifying) registrant receive approximately one hour of clinical supervision per week while a more experienced practitioner such as an RP working toward independent practice should receive a minimum of approximately one hour every two weeks" (March 2024 Communiqués).
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There is no requirement to do any group supervision to attain CRPO registration. All supervision can be individual or dyadic. However, if you choose to do some group supervision, you cannot do more than 50% of your supervision hours in a group format. (Groups must have no more than 8 participants). Insight-Online limits groups to You can mix and match individual/dyadic/group supervision.
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Once members achieve RP status (450 DCC hours, 100 hours supervision), the CRPO recommends one hour biweekly, at least 50% of which must be individual or dyadic.
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Once RPs have achieved 1000 hours of direct client contact and 150 hours of clinical supervision, they may apply to practice independently.​
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Yorkville Students CAN use group supervision as part of their 200 INDIRECT HOURS. These hours can then be signed off for CRPO approval.
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Connect With Me
Via the form below
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Text or phone Kate 416-315-1418
Or
Email me: kate@insightneuropsychotherapy.ca
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Please Contact me for more Information on Individual, Group, Or Dyadic Supervision
Insight-Online recognizes that it is located on/in the traditional territory of Petun, Anishinaabeg, Haudenosaunee, Attiwonderonk, and Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation peoples. This territory is covered by the Simcoe Patent - Treaty 4 and the Haldimand Treaty. Today, this meeting place is still the home to many Indigenous people from across Turtle Island and we are grateful to have the opportunity to work, live and play on this land.
