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🌱Supervision Spotlight: Balancing, Championing, Celebrating: Wendy’s Experience of Clinical Supervision with Sarah Tombs
- sarahtombs90
- Oct 3
- 5 min read
“Sarah is an extremely safe pair of hands - she balances me out and keeps the client safe at all times.”
“When we were able to work together again, it just felt like I’d come home.”*
(*Due to an unexpected health challenge, I had to take a brief time out of work, ^ this is what Wendy shared about working together again, upon my return to work.)
Since 2017, Wendy has been on an inspiring journey from a counsellor‑in‑training to a fully qualified practitioner.
She began her clinical supervision with me while still in training, and over the past five years we’ve worked together through significant milestones in her development.
During our time together, Wendy has experienced supervision both face‑to‑face and online, discovering that the depth, safety, and support of the space remain equally effective in either format.
In this Supervisory Spotlight, Wendy shares how our supervision has provided her with a safe pair of hands, balanced support, and the confidence to grow - while always keeping her clients at the forefront of the work.
It has been a privilege to collaborate with Wendy and I cannot wait for this next year of our work together.
Watch Wendy's Video Testimonial here: ⬇️
Can you tell us a little bit about you and your counsellor Journey?
My name is Wendy and I’m a qualified counsellor. I’ve been qualified since 2019, but I had the privilege of meeting Sarah back in 2017. It’s been a fantastic journey of working together in supervision since then.
Sarah is an extremely safe pair of hands, and I feel really confident and comfortable being able to meet up with her and work together.
How has Supervision changed for you over time?
In the time Sarah has been supervising me, we’ve not only met face to face but also online as well. Actually, our Zoom supervisions are just as effective and just as valuable online as they were when we first started meeting face to face. We changed due to the pandemic and have remained online since - which works extremely well.
What is your experience of working together in supervision, when you first started out?
When we first met I felt a real connection to you, and when you said you offered supervision it felt like a no‑brainer to ask you to be my supervisor.
I remember our very first review after we’d been working together maybe three months and I had a picture in my head - the seesaw. I was sitting on one end, you were sitting on the other, and the client was very much sat in the middle of the seesaw. You were balancing me out and keeping the client safe at all times. I remember you saying, even when we contracted for supervision, ‘I’m like your goalkeeper. I will keep your net,’ and I've felt that very keenly throughout all of our work together since.
How would you describe how supervision has evolved as you’ve qualified?
It’s felt a little bit like we’ve been on a roller coaster together, and you’ve been sitting beside me in that car the whole time. It’s almost like the ethical framework comes down and you’ve brought that down like the safety barrier in the car. Protecting the clients, the work and me.
It’s just felt like such a secure place to be.
Now that I’m qualified it feels much more like you’re my co‑pilot, helping me to navigate the course.
What stands out to you about how I’ve supported you and about how we've worked together?
You’ve always championed me, you’ve wanted the best for me but you haven’t spoon‑fed me - which wouldn’t have been the right way to supervise me anyway.
You’ve challenged me and encouraged me to take responsibility because that is mine to take. You’ve celebrated me as well - you’ve been with me through the real high points when I qualified, through the progress that clients have made in my care, and also in the more challenging moments.
You’ve been like that running coach for me, reminding me however hard I found a particular piece of work - that I can do it, I am capable, and I am a good enough counsellor.
How would you describe me as a supervisor?
I just feel that anybody who chooses to work with you in a supervisory capacity will be in a really 'safe pair of hands'.
What does 'Safe Pair of Hands mean' to you?
It’s reassurance. It’s knowing that you will work with your supervisee in the way that best suits them. You don’t state ‘this is the way we will have supervision.’ You're flexible, supportive and intuitive.
I’ve always appreciated the fact that when we’ve met we’ve had an agenda that helps to keep us on track. Yet, you’re very flexible and that’s really helpful. You meet people where they’re at and you have me, throughout my counsellor journey. Thank you.
Anything else on your mind or in your heart that you want to share?
There was a short period of time where we were unable to work together in supervision, and I was fortunate enough to work with another supervisor. But it just felt like I’d come home when we were able to work together again - which was really reassuring and I'm so grateful for our work together. *
(*Due to an unexpected health challenge, I had to take a brief time out of work, ^ this is what Wendy shared about working together again, upon my return to work.)
Ready to Grow and Transform Your Private Practice?
It’s been a privilege to work with Wendy and support her on her counsellor journey - from training to qualification. I've been privileged to witness her grow in confidence, develop her authentic style, trust herself, and do life‑changing work with her clients. And, I look forward to this next year of work together.
If you’re a therapist, counsellor, or coach looking for BACP-aligned clinical supervision, a holding and empathetic space, and guidance to grow your confidence and skills, I love to invite you to work together ⬇️
Whether you’re a trainee navigating placements, newly qualified, or an experienced practitioner exploring private practice or working within organisations, I adapt my trauma-informed, integrative, and intuitive supervision style to meet you where you are.
Together, we can cultivate confidence, authenticity, and reflective practice, so you can show up fully for your clients while supporting your own growth.
Take the next step toward building a confident, grounded, and effective practice.
Complete the supervision application form below to share your needs and preferences. Once reviewed, I’ll invite you to a 20–30 minute connection call to explore a potential collaboration and ensure alignment.
Your invited to apply using the form below ⬇️
With love & gratitude,
Sarah
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