Phil E. Foster, MDiv, LPC, NCC, DAPA
I am delighted that you have chosen to have supervision of psychotherapy/counseling practice with me. Please know that I consider this relationship to be one of mutual, sacred trust. I will endeavor to impart to you what I know about the therapy process and, of equal importance, will also share with you what I don’t know. This brief letter will convey some of my background, orientation and expectations around the supervisory process.
I can’t show you or tell you how to do psychotherapy. I can help you to discover some about how you do this work. My style is generally interactive although there will certainly be times when I don’t have much to say. I am both gentle and confrontive. You will learn a great deal about me over the course of our work together; you must also understand that you know me in my role as supervisor and teacher. Be mindful of appropriate boundaries within our relationship.
My emphasis in supervision work is based on an integrative model. From the psychodynamic perspective we will explore transference and counter-transference phenomenon in both your counseling sessions and in the supervision process. These psychodynamic principles and forces are foundational to this work; failure to address them results in poor work. There are some didactic elements in which I will instruct and assign tasks. Additionally, there is a strong consultation component in my supervision style. To this end you will experience peer supervision within our group as well as my supervision.
My theoretical approach is eclectic with emphases on psychodynamic, Jungian, mythopoetics and archetypal/transpersonal constructs. My primary developmental model is Erikson’s stages. I am an Approved Clinical Supervisor through LPCA.
I have been practicing psychotherapy for over 24 years. For about ten years prior to that time I worked primarily in crisis intervention and traumatology. I received the Master of Divinity degree, honors program, from Emory University in 1975. Additionally, I spent 2 years studying counseling at Georgia State to obtain coursework for licensure. My practice specialties are men’s/gender issues, spirituality, gay/lesbian issues, initiatory/life stage development, concerns of artists, concerns of the helping professions (re: therapists, physicians, nurses, ministers, body workers, etc.), consultation and supervision of psychotherapy. I work with individuals, groups, couples and organizations; I do not work with children, adolescents or families. A full copy of my resume is available for your inspection.
I have some expectations about our relationship. Please make every effort to be on time to our group and individual meetings. Try to arrive a few minutes early to relax, collect your thoughts and feelings and otherwise prepare for our time together. We will rotate case presentation. Please be prepared to present when it is your week to do so. We will make allowances for urgent need. When you come for individual supervision please have an audio session/verbatim case presentation and your journal ready to present.
After hours I am available for life and death emergencies only. You may request my unlisted home telephone number at our first session. Always call your site clinical supervisor first. If you need to speak with me non-urgently please leave me a message at my office (404-314-8325); I will call you as quickly as possible.
Supervision is collaborative. You must be willing to address areas of growth and competence; these are life long tasks as a counselor/psychotherapist. I trust you to be professional and discuss with me your areas of concern. You must be willing to convey your issues to the peer supervision group and me. You must discuss your victories and your fears if you truly desire to progress in this field; again, this is an ongoing process.
Supervision is not therapy although the line between the two is often difficult to ascertain. To some extent dealing with therapeutic issues is inevitable in supervision; however, please be mindful that neither your peers nor I are your therapist. In my experience if you are going to do therapy then it is helpful and essential to be in therapy. I hope you will make that a priority. Further, I recommend (in no particular order) the following activities to enhance your growth as a therapist:
Exercise at least 3 days a week
Maintain a healthy diet
Get at least 6 hours of sleep each night
Have a strong social network, especially outside of therapists
Attend peer consultation/supervision
Have a reading program to include professional material/journals, poetry, biography, and the classics (a recommended reading list is available to you).
Attend cultural activities on a regular basis
Be in nature regularly; make time to commune with the natural world
Have a spiritual community and a spiritual practice
Join and participate in your professional association (re: LPCA)
Strive to maintain a philosophical, humorous outlook on life and psychotherapy
These are career long tasks for promoting sound practice and an enjoyable life.
I look forward to our journey together.
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Phil Foster, MDiv, LPC
Adjunct Instructor, Mercer University
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I understand and agree to comply with this informed consent
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