Supervisor to meet simultaneously with my clients and me
Hi all,
I’m really needing some support. I’m new to working at a residential treatment house for adults. I worked in crisis before this, so it’s a step down in terms of chaos, but it’s more intense with the interpersonal stress.
Two of my clients requested new therapists, both for reasons that don’t really feel fair or grounded in reality. They were asked to stick with me, then they both asked again a couple weeks later. One of them, I am now expected to continue meeting with, but with my supervisor present. I got clarification that we will both be providing her therapy in the same room at the same time, as a team effort. I was definitely freaked out, thinking that I was just going to be watched all the time. But it seems even weirder that we’re going to be doing it together?
I would like to know if anyone has ever done this “team effort” thing or heard of this happening. I have never, and it sounds strange to me.
Even if it was just her sitting in the same room and watching me provide therapy, I don’t feel at all comfortable with that. I understand that I need to be okay with being observed, but I am coming to terms with how deeply inadequate I feel. With the level of social anxiety I experience, I just know I won’t be able to give good therapy while being directly observed. I have worked on my anxiety so much, and still, this situation will activate me enough that I won’t be able to do my job well.
I really need some perspectives, support, encouragement, ideas, etc. I’m at the point where I don’t know how to continue in this job or this field.