For Provisional Psychologists on the 4 + 2 Pathway, 5 + 1 Pathway, Clinical Registrars and Early Career Psychologists in Australia

Update: Group Supervision dates for November 2024 - December 2025

We are taking bookings now for the next 12-14 months.

Plan your internship hours to keep your ratio of clinical hours to supervision aligned.

We encourarge you to connect with one of our supervisors today, to plan your sessions for the next 12 months.

Plan now to save on cost and avoid disappointment. To secure your place on these maximum 5-attendee online group supervision sessions, email us using the blue botton on the bottom of your screen. Our supervisors are happy to work with you on a one-off, casual or regular basis (weekly/fortnightly/monthly).

Who we Supervise

We provide supervision to psychologists completing one of the following programs:

  • 4+2 provisional psychologist internship program 
  • 5+1 provisional psychology internship program 
  • placements during an accredited higher degree program 
  • working in addition to higher degree placements 
  • registrar program for clinical psychology registrars seeking endorsement
  •  re-entry program after a period of not practising
  • transitional program for overseas-qualified applicants and
  • early career psychologists and health practitioners for CPD purposes
 

Psychology Group Supervision

At Brain Training Australia, our Psychology group supervision sessions are a way for psychologists to learn from other professionals, connect with peers, and work through complex situations. They cover a range of topics, including:
  • Case discussions
  • Ethical dilemmas
  • Professional issues
  • Writing case reports
  • Preparing for the National Psychology Exam (NPE)
  • Treatment planning
  • Diagnostic issues
  • Effective record keeping 
  • Evidence-based assessment
  • Intervention Modalities

Overview

Our board-approved group supervision sessions with up to five people per group. We also offer private group supervision in the workplace. Our sessions are delivered 100% online by the approved Psychology Board of Australia and delivered during business hours, primarily aimed at lunch periods, so as not to eat into early career psychologists’ personal time.

Our group supervision sessions are delivered in two hour sessions, whereas our individual supervision is delivered as one hour, 90 minute or two hour sessions.

With group supervision, the first hour usually has an educational component, and the second hour is a roundtable discussion and exploration of clinical applications.

Our online group supervision services are available Australia-wide and allow for a cost-effective and efficient way to meet psychology supervision requirements. They also provide an opportunity for you to connect and network with other provisional psychologists. We are passionate about providing a nurturing learning experience where psychologists are supported to learn and grow into the profession. 

Individual versus Group Supervision - which is better?

Individual and group supervision both have unique benefits and challenges, and the Psychology Board of Australia doesn’t favor one over the other. Your decision on which supervision type is best for you may depend on your preferences, budget, and comfort level. Here are some differences between the two:

Individual Supervision

Cost: $230 + GST (60 mins)

Pros:
  • Provides more personalised attention and can be more in-depth and relevant to you and your caseload.
  • Develop a meaningful supervisory relationship – you can build a strong relationship with your supervisor over time, which can lead to greater trust and insight.
  • Explore transference and countertransference as they arise in your clinical work
  • Create a professional development plan, keep on top of your internship requirements, and necessary documentation for submission to AHPRA
  • Individual supervision may be best if you want to discuss personal issues you’re uncomfortable sharing in a group.

Cons:

  • More expensive which can be very challenging and important consideration especially if you are on an internship program where you have to complete a large volume of hours. 
 

Group Supervision

Cost: $200 + GST (120 mins)

Pros:

  • Provides access to multiple perspectives, and can be more affordable than individual supervision. 
  • Connect with other psychologists – learn from others, experience different styles, and work more systemically with your clients. 

  • Discover different modalities and populations.

  • Feel less alone in your role as a psychologist 

  • Explore group dynamics – group supervision provides access to a diversity of reflections, feedback, and input, as well as the opportunity to experience others’ styles. 

  • Learn different theoretical orientations, assessments and interventions

  • Expand your networking opportunities

Cons:

  • Less time may be spent on your individual needs. 
 
 
 

How many Group Supervision hours do you need in 2025?

The number of supervision hours early career psychologists need to complete depending on the program they are in:

  • 5+1 internship program are permitted to have 30 hours of group supervision (that is the equivalent to 15 group supervision sessions)
  • 4 + 2 internship program are permitted to have 80 hours of group supervision (that is the equivalent to 40 group supervision sessions)
  • Registrar program – the number of hours depends on the qualification but can range from 40 to 80 hours 
At your Discovery Call / Intro Call with a dedicated Supervisor on our team, they can help you plan your group supervision sessions for the next 12 months to plan keep your ratio of hours, internship requirements and expenditure aligned.

Online Group Supervision

Capped at 5 participants in line with AHRPA requirements.

If you are interested, we encourage you to connect today and book in advance to avoid disappointment.

Meet Our Board Approved Supervisors with current availability:

Kristie Clarke

Clinical Psychologist, Board Approved Supervisor 
Brisbane, QLD and Online

Kristie is a Senior Clinical Psychologist, approved Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA) Supervisor offering online one-to-one and group supervision to provisional psychologists on the 4+2, 5+1 and Clinical Registrar pathways across Australia. Krisite has a BSc (Psych), M. Clin Psych, MAPS, FCCLP, is a NDIS Provider, Trauma and EMDR Therapist and Neurofeedback Trainer. Her approach to Clinical Supervision and Training is person-centred.
Intervention areas of interest: anxiety disorders, relationship issues, work-related illness (both physical and mental), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR), interpersonal psychotherapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, mindfulness and schema therapy.

Read More

Dean Smith

Registered Psychologist, Board Approved Supervisor 
Melbourne, VIC and Online

Dean is a Senior Registered Psychologist, and approved Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA) Supervisor, offering online one-to-one and group supervision to provisional psychologists on the 4 + 2 and 5 + 1 pathways across Australia. With over 30 years of experience working in mental health and working in private practice, Dean has experience in community health, victims of crime, drug and alcohol, corrections and educational settings. Particular areas of interest include Trauma and Stress-related disorders, Personality Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, Sleep-Wake Disorders, Binge Eating Disorders, Chronic Illness, Depressive Disorders, Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders and Complicated Grief reactions. Internvention areas of interest: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, Psychodynamic Therapy, Gestalt Therapy, Mindfulness Meditation, Hypnosis, and various Brain-Based Approaches such as Somatic Experiencing, Tapping, Neurofeedback, Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR).

Read More

Topics and Content

We offer a mix of generic style group supervision sessions where you can take a case and discuss in confidence with fellow early career psychologists, alongside supervision sessions with a focus on Understanding Psychological Interventions (as outlined below). 

One of the main reasons we have chosen this as a focus area is that with enhanced knowledge in this domain, participants can put their knowledge into practice during their internships, which reinforces their study preparations for their National Psychology Exam, should they need to take it as part of their registration program.

To support our supervisees undertaking the NPE, our Psychology Team are working on the development of educational materials on an online self-paced platform, due to be released in 2025. If you like our approach, enjoy our content style, and would like more information on our National Psychology Exam Study Course or would like to express your interest in accessing it, please click here.

Psychological Interventions Supervision

Duration: Two Hour Session.  The first hour is an educational seminar; second hour is a roundtable discussion and exploration of clinical applications.

Content Overview

  1. What is MI?
    1.1. History: origin and development
  2. Fundamental Principles of Motivational Interviewing [RULE]
    2.1. Resist the righting reflex
      2.2. Understand the patient’s own motivation
      2.3. Listen with empathy
      2.4. Empower the patient
  3. Four further principles of motivational interviewing
      3.1. Express empathy
      3.2. Develop discrepancy
      3.3. Roll with resistance
      3.4. Support self-efficacy
  1. Motivational interviewing in practice
    4.1. Phase 1: Building motivation to change [OARS]
    4.1.1. Open-ended questions
      4.1.2. Affirmations
      4.1.3. Reflections
      4.1.4. Summarising
      4.2. Phase 2: Strengthening commitment to change
  2. Specific Motivational Interviewing Techniques and Strategies
    5.1. Open questions
    5.2. Reflective listening
      5.3. Positive restructuring
      5.4. Summarize
      5.5. Encouraging self-motivation phrases
  3. Applications and effectiveness of MI
  4. Why does MI work?

Conclusion

Q & A

References

Second Hour: Roundtable Discussion on Clinical Applications.

Duration: Two Hour Session.  The first hour is an educational seminar; second hour is a roundtable discussion and exploration of clinical applications.

Content Overview

1. What is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)?
1.1. Origin and history of ACT
1.2. Theoretical foundations: model of the mind and basic assumptions
1.3. What does ACT seek?
1.4. Difference with other cognitive-behavioural therapies
2. The ACT Principles
2.1. Values
2.2. Commitment or Committed Action
2.3. Cognitive Defusion
2.4. Self-as-Context
2.5. Acceptance
2.6. Psychological flexibility
3. ACT Evidence and Applications
3.1. Depression
3.2. Depression and anxiety
3.3. Eating disorder
3.4. Panic Disorder
3.5. Social phobia
3.6. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
3.7. Substance abuse
3.8. Borderline Personality Disorder
Conclusion
Learning Consolidation Activity
Q & A
References

Second Hour: Roundtable Discussion on Clinical Applications.

Duration: Two Hour Session.  The first hour is an educational seminar; second hour is a roundtable discussion and exploration of clinical applications.

Content Overview

1. Introduction to EMDR

1.1 Definition and origin of EMDR
1.2 EMDR Technique
1.3 Principles and theory behind EMDR
1.4 Efficacy and applications of EMDR in psychotherapy
2. EMDR Fundamentals
2.1. Effects of trauma on the brain
2.2. Traumatic Information Processing Theory
2.3. What is desensitization and how is it applied in the context of EMDR? 
3. Eye Movement Processing
3.1. Explanation of the eye movement process in EMDR
3.1.1. Bilateral stimulation 
4. Phases of EMDR application 
5. Uses of EMDR in various disorders
6. Considerations for the application of EMDR
6.1. Risks associated with the use of EMDR
Conclusion
Q & A
References
 

Second Hour: Roundtable Discussion on Clinical Applications.

Duration: Two Hour Session.  The first hour is an educational seminar; second hour is a roundtable discussion and exploration of clinical applications.

Content Overview

1. What is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)?
1.1. Origin and history of CBT
2. Foundations of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
2.1. Some fundamental principles of CBT
2.2. Relationship between thoughts, emotions and behaviors
2.3. Cognitive conceptualization and automatic thoughts
3. Components of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
3.1. Cognitive Distortions
3.2. Cognitive restructuring
3.2.1. Cognitive restructuring: A-B-C model
3.3. Identification of automatic thoughts
3.4. Questioning of maladaptive cognitions
4. Applications and effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
5. Why choose CBT?
Conclusion
Q & A
References

Second Hour: Roundtable Discussion on Clinical Applications.

Upcoming Supervision Dates for 2025

We are currently seeking feedback from our existing supervisees to establish areas of interest for 2025. We will update this webpage once it is officially announced. However, if you are seeking supervision in 2025, contact us today to express your interest so you can be included in our 2025 plan. We only have two supervisors with capacity at present, and group supervision sessions are limited to five participants per session in line with AHPRA requirements.

Joining a group supervision session for the first time? Here's what to expect..

First of all welcome to our online group sessions, we hope you enjoy their content and delivery so you can develop your own clinical skills further. 

Start with booking in online for a Discovery Call / Intro Call with one of our Board Approved Supervisors.

When you have booked, this is what you can expect:

– Select a day and time that suits you to discuss your individual or group supervision needs with one of our Board Approved Supervisors.

– You will receive a link to an ‘Add A Secondary Supervisor’ Form for you to complete while you wait for your call with your dedicated Supervisor. This Form automatically generates your letter for you to take to your Primary Supervisor for signature before submitting to AHRPA. You can add our Board Approved Supervisors Krisite, Dean or both – just make sure to submit this to AHRPA before any supervision sessions so you can claim the hours!

– Your supervisor will send you the link directly to the Zoom invite and materials (if any) for any individual or group supervision sessions.

Our group supervision sessions serve as an educational exploration of the subjects presented and as an introduction to various topics only, and we encourage participants to access one day, two day or longer skills building professional development workshops to explore the topics further to gain proficiency. 

Fees

Group Supervision is a more cost effective way to access Supervision which we charge $100 + GST / per hour. 

Please note that all Group Supervision sessions are 2-hour sessions.

 

How do I get started?

To count your group supervision hours towards your internship plan, your first step is to add one of our supervisors to your internship plan as a Secondary Supervisor. We can help you do that.

We have two Board Approved Supervisors on our team – Kristie Clarke and Dean Smith – both run our online group supervision services.

You can add a secondary supervisor by submitting a formal letter to AHPRA via their online upload services.  The letter will need to outline the name and registration number of your new secondary supervisor (Kristie or Dean) and it must be signed by your Primary Supervisor.

To make your life a little easier (and we understand how demanding early career psychologist life can be!) we have done some of the work for you so you will only need to complete three simple steps:

1 Once you have booked in for your Discovery Call / Intro Call with your chosen Supervisor, you automatically receive a booking confirmation email and within that, a link to complete a “Add a Secondary Supervisor Form.” Just pop in your details and when you click submit, you recieve a copy of the letter that AHPRA requires will be sent to your email.  

2. Email this letter to your Primary Supervisor for signing.

3. Submit the signed version to AHRPA. 

It really is that simple and straightforward.  

How do I book in?

BOOK a Discovery Call (FREE) option below to discuss your Supervision needs today and secure your place with us for 2025.

We look forward to seeing you there and supporting you on your journey!