Becoming a Reflective Supervisor

Support your supervisees by leveraging your unique personal experiences and qualities to enhance clinical effectiveness

The reflective process in supervision plays a vital role in the growth and development of clinical counselors. It requires intentionality, comfort with uncertainty, and the ability to adopt multiple perspectives. Reflection invites us to pause, critically evaluate our actions and experiences, and remain open to exploring alternative approaches. Supervision provides a safe space for clinicians to reflect on and refine their practices in a supportive environment.

To enhance the reflective dimension of supervision, this presentation will explore Person-of-the-Therapist Training (POTT). This approach emphasizes the willingness of both therapists and their supervisors to engage in reflective practice, with the goal of deepening their understanding of how personal experiences influence clinical work. The primary aim of POTT is to help supervisees better identify, access, and integrate different aspects of themselves in their therapeutic roles—whether attuning to clients, assessing needs, or implementing interventions.

In this presentation you will learn: 

• The significance of cultivating a reflective practice
• The supervisor’s role in fostering reflective practitioners
• The foundational principles of Person-of-the-Therapist supervision
• Practical tools for supervisors to support their supervisees in leveraging their unique personal experiences and qualities to enhance clinical effectiveness

ABOUT THE PRESENTER:

Estera Boldut, PsyD, RSW, RCC

Estera is a seasoned educator, therapist, and clinical supervisor with over two decades of professional experience. She earned a Doctorate in Psychology from California Southern University, a Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy from Trinity Western University, and a Bachelor’s in Social Work from the University of Bucharest.

As Program Director and Assistant Professor for the Marriage and Family Therapy program at Trinity Western University, Estera designs and teaches graduate-level courses, supervises students, and leads accreditation initiatives. Her clinical expertise spans compassion cultivation, burnout prevention, and systemic approaches to therapy.

Estera’s supervision journey began in 2012 as Clinical Coordinator for the Marriage and Family Therapy program, where she provided academic supervision. Since 2013, she has co-taught the Fundamentals in Clinical Supervision course alongside her mentor, Dr. Vange Thiessen, and has offered group, dyadic, and individual supervision in private practice since 2015.

Beyond academia, Estera delivers community training on compassion and wisdom cultivation. Her dedication to relational health and professional growth continues to empower students, clinicians, and diverse communities.