INDIVIDUAL & GROUP SUPERVISION

Allison Cordner is an experiential & relational process-based Registered Clinical Counsellor (BCACC), a certified Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP), and a Registered Counselling Therapist & Supervisor (RCS) with the ACCT of Canada. In 2022, she earned her Master of Counselling Psychology from Yorkville University and completed her Professional Counselling diploma in transpersonal counselling with Clearmind International in 2019. Over the years, Allison has pursued further education and training through reputable institutions such as The Justice Institute of BC, Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy Institute, ERGOS institute’s Peter Levine, and the Somatic Experiencing Institute. 

In 2024, Allison achieved certification in Relational Process-Based Supervision at JIBC, and in 2022, she received accreditation in Somatic Experiencing SEP with the trauma institute. With a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Contemporary Dance from Concordia University in Montreal and a diploma in Commercial Photography from Dawson College in Montreal, she transitioned from the performing arts (classical voice & dance) to the visual arts, specializing in documenting families and children's developmental milestones. Her expertise in mediating family conflicts and working with newborns has established her as a trusted figure, creating a safe and confidential environment for children of all ages to express themselves authentically. 

Since shifting to transpersonal counseling in 2019, Allison now operates full-time in her private practice, Speakeasy Counselling & Associates, where she provides individual supervision and group supervision for individuals, couples, and university students navigating relational and developmental trauma. 

Drawing from her personal experiences with cultural, linguistic, attachment, and intergenerational conflicts, as well as traumatic grief and loss, she helps clients of all backgrounds and gender identities find a sense of belonging and healing. Allison's artistic background inspires her integrative approach, which includes psychodrama, empty chair work, somatic, and transpersonal/spiritual exploration.

Allison's mentors in the field include the Gottmans, Peter Levine, Gabor Mate, Janina Fisher, Diana Fosha, and Diane Poole Heller. Her commitment to utilizing proven relational clinical tools, alongside her dedication to ongoing learning, fosters a warm, fun, animated, relational, humorous, attuned, and inclusive environment. This makes her a valuable resource for supervisees seeking individual supervision, especially those with lived experiences of relational trauma. As a wounded warrior, she helps them deepen the therapeutic relationship through rupture and repair in both group supervision and dyadic exploration.

It is expected that supervision, whether through group supervision or individual supervision, will occur within a competency-based framework. The supervisee will self-assess their clinical competencies, including knowledge, skills, and values/attitudes. The supervisor will compare the supervisee's self-assessments with their own evaluations based on observation and reports from counselling practice, supervision, and the use of competency instruments, all while employing a relational supervision approach.

Supervision is process-oriented, which means that both individual supervision and group supervision rely on the counsellor’s awareness, their descriptions of how they conceptualize their client or supervisee’s issues, and their own personal experiences. These elements are used to develop personal insights and enhance professional skills. Utilizing a variety of modalities including Gestalt, Relational Somatic, humanistic, interpersonal psychotherapy, and cognitive-behavioral techniques, supervision involves facilitative, confrontative, and interpersonal interventions. Relational supervision fosters a parallel process that serves as a catalyst for enhancing awareness of dynamics between client and supervisee.

Supervision sessions will be held monthly in individual supervision, dyadic, and/or group supervision formats. These sessions take place online and, occasionally, in-person. Each supervision session consists of regular and consistent meetings, with a minimum frequency of once a month. Client files, including session notes and treatment planning documents, will be available for review during the supervision session. The supervision may encompass multiple modalities, including the review of sessions, progress notes, discussions, instruction, modeling, mutual problem-solving, and role-play, all focused on relational supervision through process-based interactions. A receipt will be provided upon payment for supervision services, and a copy of your credit card will be securely kept encrypted on file through the Jane Clinics system.

Feedback will be provided throughout the group supervision and individual supervision processes. Upon completing the supervisee’s supervision requirements, both the supervisor and supervisee will complete a Supervisor Evaluation. If the supervisee does not meet the competency-based criteria, they will be informed at the first indication of this, and supportive and remedial steps will be implemented through a relational supervision approach to assist the supervisee. Should the supervisee continue to not meet the competency-based standards of practice, the established steps and procedures outlined by the supervisor will be followed.

Rights and Responsibilities of Supervisor

Oversees and monitors all aspects of client cases, record keeping, and treatment planning within both group supervision and individual supervision settings. Challenges and problem solves with the supervisee, asking questions about their practice and client cases. Provides constructive feedback on the supervisee’s counselling competencies while observing their practice and initiating supportive or corrective action as required. 

Ensures that supervision sessions occur as scheduled, keeps meticulous records of these meetings, and signs off on the monthly reporting forms. Creates a supervision file for each supervisee that contains their supervision records and relevant documents related to their counselling practice. Ensures that the supervisee remains up-to-date with current regulations in the counselling profession, fostering an environment of relational supervision characterized by professionalism in all interactions.

Identifies and addresses any strains or ruptures in the supervisory relationship, dealing with problems as they affect the supervisee’s performance. Supports the supervisee in line with the agreed personal and professional development plan. 

The contract may be revised at the request of either the supervisee or the supervisor. It will be formally reviewed at quarterly intervals, annually, and more frequently as needed. Revisions will be made only with the consent of the supervisee and the approval of the supervisor.