OT Supervision Podcast

Lynsay McFarlane-Shaw, OT Supervisor

Time for a cuppa? Then pull up a chair. Join Lynsay McFarlane-Shaw, OT supervisor, on the OT Supervision Podcast as we explore supervision with a difference. The OT Supervision Podcast explores occupational therapy supervision, reflective practice and professional development for occupational therapists at every stage of their career. Hosted by Lynsay McFarlane-Shaw, an experienced occupational therapist and supervisor, the podcast offers practical insights and thoughtful conversations on getting more from supervision, choosing the right supervisor, building clinical confidence, navigating professional challenges, and supporting wellbeing at work. Whether you’re an occupational therapy student, a newly qualified OT, an experienced practitioner, an independent therapist or a clinical supervisor, discover ideas you can reflect on and apply to your own practice. Each episode offers a fresh perspective on how effective occupational therapy supervision can support you, your practice and your professional life. Lynsay will look beyond the ordinary and expected, focusing on small shifts that make supervision holistic, where OT supervision meets real life. Connecting with therapists' experiences across the career span. Join Lynsay for educational insights, reflections, and real conversations. Each session ends with a takeaway, something to ponder or apply to your own practice.

Episodes

  1. Oct 23

    Episode 8: Therapeutic Use of Self in Supervision

    This episode explores therapeutic use of self and why it matters not just in clinical practice, but also in the supervisory relationship. Lynsay McFarlane-Shaw, OT Supervisor, explains how attunement, unconditional positive regard, self-disclosure, and power dynamics shape both supervision and client work. This reflective solo episode helps listeners notice what they bring into supervision, how they communicate, and where their influence can support or hinder a safe, person-centred supervisory space. Key topics • In this episode, Lynsay, OT Supervisor, frames therapeutic use of self as the considered use of your own personality, opinions, and judgments within therapeutic and supervisory relationships. • Supervision is presented as a conversation, not a question-and-answer session, with agenda setting, priorities, clinical cases, themes, wins, and CPD all contributing to the discussion. • She encourages supervisees and supervisors to identify the unique skills each person brings, since every therapist contributes differently to the relationship. • Communication and learning styles are highlighted as important parts of building a strong supervisee-supervisor relationship, and something worth revisiting over time. • The episode breaks therapeutic use of self into four key components: o Attunement o Unconditional positive regard o Self-disclosure o Power • Attunement is fully present and genuinely connected, with both supervisor and supervisee responsible for that connection. • Unconditional positive regard is framed as assuming the supervisee is doing their best and as the supervisor meeting them where they are. • Self-disclosure is explored carefully, including both sharing personal information and sharing emotional responses, with emphasis on choosing disclosure only when it benefits the other person. • Power imbalances are discussed in both clinical and supervisory contexts, including dual roles such as manager and supervisor, and the impact that can have on openness and honesty. • She stresses that therapeutic use of self should support self-empowerment, self-awareness, collaboration, and safe development rather than reinforce hierarchy. Things to consider • Therapeutic use of self is intentional: consider how your personality, judgments, and responses affect the relationship. • Attunement and unconditional positive regard can help create a connected, supportive supervisory space. • Self-disclosure is most useful when it is of benefit to the other person’s learning or wellbeing. • Notice how power dynamics—including dual roles—may affect trust, honesty, and participation. • Use reflection and open discussion to make supervision more collaborative, safe, and person-centred.   Takeaways • Reflect on how you currently use therapeutic use of self in clinical practice. • Write a few bullet points on what you bring into therapeutic and supervisory spaces. • Consider how self-disclosure shows up in your work and whether it is always purposeful. • Notice any power dynamics in your supervisory relationships, especially if your supervisor also has a management role. • Bring the topic into supervision and discuss whether you need any new insights or adjustments.   Timestamps (00:00) Introduction to therapeutic use of self in supervision (00:58) Supervision as a conversation, not a checklist (01:28) What each therapist uniquely brings into the space (01:57) Communication and learning styles in the supervisory relationship (02:24) Why therapeutic use of self matters in supervision too (02:52) Defining therapeutic use of self (03:48) The therapist’s role in shaping outcomes (04:16) Bringing therapeutic use of self into supervision (04:41) Attunement, unconditional positive regard, self-disclosure, and power (05:07) Attunement as being fully present and connected (05:36) Unconditional positive regard in supervision (05:59) Two forms of self-disclosure and why boundaries matter (07:22) Choosing disclosure that genuinely benefits the other person (07:51) Finding a safe space for appropriate sharing (08:19) Power differences and self-empowerment (09:16) Bias, systems, and collaborative working (10:07) Therapeutic use of self as part of the supervisory relationship (10:37) Using it to build a safe, person-centred supervisory space (11:05) Meeting supervisees where they are and noticing barriers (11:34) Supervisor self-disclosure that supports learning (12:30) Sharing mistakes and learning without positioning yourself as the expert (13:24) Dual roles, performance review, and openness in supervision (14:16) Equity, diversity, and belonging as part of power awareness (15:10) Why awareness of therapeutic use of self supports development (15:35) Reflection prompts and suggested next steps (16:53) Bringing the topic into supervision for discussion (17:20) Closing reflection and takeaway   Links: OT hub Article: Therapeutic Use of Self by Deborah Abson March 2019 RCOT Equity, Diversity and Belonging – module and toolkit   I’d love to hear from you, so please connect with me: On my website, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook Or subscribe to my YouTube channel   I'd love for you to leave me a review and share with colleagues who may find this podcast useful.

  2. Oct 9

    Episode 7: Preparing for Supervision, keep it simple and get more out of your sessions

    In this solo episode, Lynsay, an OT Supervisor with over 30 years of supervision experience, explains why preparing before supervision can make sessions more useful, focused, and reflective. She shares practical ways to prepare, what to include in a prep form, and how preparation helps you spot themes, ask better questions, and capture CPD evidence. This episode is especially useful if you feel too busy to prepare, or if you already prepare and want to compare your approach with a supervisor’s perspective. Key topics • Lynsay explains that preparation helps you gather your thoughts before supervision and get more out of the session. • She notes that not everyone prepares the same way, and supervisors should meet supervisees where they are. • Preparation helps you look beyond the immediate issue and reflect on what has happened since your last session. • She highlights how themes can emerge across cases, relationships, and workplace dynamics when you take time to reflect. • Lynsay encourages you to prioritise the top three things you want to discuss, rather than bringing only the most urgent issue. • She explains how preparation can help you revisit previous actions, track progress, and bring back evolving practice points. • She points out that written prep notes can count as evidence for HCPC CPD files and supervision records. • If you do not prepare, you may end up with muddled thoughts, forget important topics, or feel more challenged by supervisor questions. • She describes several preparation methods, including reviewing previous supervision notes, using a short form, sending an email, or writing a quick note. • Lynsay recommends including wins, one case to explore in depth, CPD reflections, and any other thoughts that matter to you. • She suggests setting aside 10 to 15 minutes before supervision and putting a reminder in your diary. • She challenges listeners to think about whether lack of preparation is costing them time and depth during the session itself. Timestamps (00:00) Why this episode matters for supervision ( 01:53) What preparation helps you notice between sessions (02:49) Spotting themes across cases and practice patterns (03:44) Prioritising what actually matters most (04:13) Bringing back previous actions and how practice has evolved (05:37) Using prep notes as CPD and supervision evidence (06:08) What happens when you do not prepare (07:04) How unprepared thoughts can stay muddled and narrow (07:59) Why supervisor questions can feel more challenging without reflection (09:22) Supervision as a space for thinking, not just getting answers (09:52) Ways to prepare, from reviewing notes to using a form (10:51) Email, handwritten notes, or a form - all can work (11:43) The top three topics to bring into supervision (12:12) Choosing one case to explore in more depth (12:52) Why wins belong in supervision too (13:19) Reflecting on CPD beyond formal courses (14:41) Leaving space for any other thoughts you want to share (15:07) Checking priorities at the start of the session (15:37) Practical takeaways for making preparation easier (16:06) Voice notes and quick prompts when time is tight (16:35) Building a diary reminder into your routine (17:03) If you think you have no time, start with five minutes (18:03) Final challenge and invitation to reflect on your experience Takeaways • Set aside 10 to 15 minutes before supervision to reflect and gather your thoughts. • Choose your top three priorities and bring one case you would like to explore in more depth. • Include wins, CPD reflections, follow-ups on previous actions, and anything else you want to discuss. • Use a preparation method that works for you: previous notes, a short form, an email, or quick handwritten notes. • If time is tight, start with five minutes and build the habit with a calendar reminder. If you want a copy of my supervision preparation form, you can download it from my website as part of the “OT Supervision: Getting started” eBook.  I’d love to hear from you, so please connect with me: On my website, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook Or subscribe to my YouTube channel Please share with colleagues.

  3. Sep 25

    Episode 6: September, Let’s Take a Moment to Pause and Reflect

    September, Let’s Take a Moment to Pause and Reflect Lynsay McFarlane-Shaw uses this solo episode to pause and reflect on growth, especially in the context of an OT career and business. She shares why looking back matters just as much as moving forward, and encourages listeners to notice their wins, trust their instincts, and take small action toward what they want next. In this episode • Why September is a natural time to pause and review progress. • How taking an OT supervision business online required courage, training, and adaptability. • Why supervision supports professional development and wellbeing. • The value of bringing wins into supervision—not only challenges. • How recording wins and reflections can support professional portfolios and HCPC requirements. • Why careers are rarely linear and often include detours and unexpected opportunities. • How to move forward despite fear, imposter feelings, or other awareness of other people’s doubts. • Why rest and recovery can be just as valuable as taking action.   Key takeaways 1. Pause to recognise your progress. Constantly pursuing the next goal can make you overlook how far you have already come. 2. Bring your wins into supervision. Supervision should make space for achievements as well as challenges. 3. Use reflection as evidence of growth. Recording your progress can support your professional portfolio, CPD, and HCPC requirements. 4. Career paths do not have to be linear. Detours and unexpected changes can lead to valuable opportunities. 5. Do not let doubt stop you from starting. Fear and imposter feelings may be present, but they do not have to make the decision for you. 6. Take the next step that fits your needs. Sometimes that means action, and sometimes it means rest and recovery.   Timestamps 00:00 - Why this episode is about pausing to look back 00:57 - September, the academic year, and a moment for reflection 01:26 - Taking an OT supervision business online 02:20 - Postgraduate training in clinical supervision 03:18 - Why reflecting on your progress matters 04:16 - Listing achievements and wins 05:10 - Bringing wins into supervision 06:09 - Looking back at your career path 07:37 - Why career paths are rarely straight 09:28 - Getting support from coaches, OTs, supervisors, and mentors 10:26 - Not letting imposter feelings stop you 11:24 - Exploring opportunities beyond statutory services 12:15 - Reflecting on the past to plan the future 13:12 - A simple reflection exercise 14:08 - Backing yourself and taking action 14:36 - Giving yourself permission to rest   Notable quotes • “If we’re constantly striving for more, we forget to acknowledge how far we’ve already come.” • “Don’t let the imposter monster get too loud and stop you from getting started.” • “It’s okay to rest too.”   I’d love to hear from you, so please connect with me: On my website, Instagram,  LinkedIn, Facebook Or subscribe to my YouTube channel

  4. Sep 11

    Episode 5: What do you want to get out of supervision?

    In this episode, Lynsay invites occupational therapists to pause and reflect on a simple but powerful question: What do you want to get out of supervision? Rather than treating supervision as a fixed routine focused only on the day-to-day job, this conversation explores how it can support your professional growth, personal development, values, and future career direction. You’ll be encouraged to review your current supervision agreement, clarify what you need, and start an open conversation with your supervisor about the support that would be most helpful. In this episode: • Why it’s worth getting clear on your own goals for supervision • Separating your role, your professional identity, and your wider ambitions • Reviewing whether your supervision expectations still fit your current work • How values and organisational context can shape development opportunities • Turning reflection into a practical conversation and ongoing agreement Takeaway: Take a few minutes to write down what you want from supervision — then consider one action you can take to make it happen. Timestamps 00:00 Welcome and the central question: what do you want from supervision? 00:35 Why this question is often overlooked 01:43 Looking beyond the job role: professional and personal growth 03:00 Reviewing your supervision agreement and expectations 04:05 Values, career direction, and finding space to develop 05:19 Balancing your goals with organisational realities 05:51 Having an open conversation about needs and boundaries 06:24 Making time for your development within supervision 06:55 Permission to change an established supervision format 07:28 Documenting, reviewing, and adapting your agreement 08:01 Final reflection: identify what you want and make an action plan 08:32 Closing thoughts   I’d love to hear from you, so please connect with me: On my website Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook Or subscribe to my YouTube channel Links: https://www.otsupervisor.com/ https://www.instagram.com/lynsayotsupervisor/ www.linkedin.com/in/lynsay-mcfarlaneshaw https://www.facebook.com/Lynsay.McFarlaneShaw https://www.youtube.com/@LynsayOTSupervisor

  5. Sep 4

    Episode 4: How often should I have supervision?

    This episode explores one of the biggest questions in therapy supervision: how often should supervision happen, and how do you decide what is right for your role, career stage, and current support needs? Lynsay McFarlane-Shaw shares practical guidance drawn from more than 30 years in practice, with particular focus on when supervision should be more frequent and why consistency matters. It is a useful listen for early career OTs, therapists in transition, and anyone wondering whether their current supervision setup is meeting their needs. Key topics • In this episode, Lynsay McFarlane-Shaw explains why there is no single universal answer for supervision frequency in occupational therapy, even though professional bodies expect supervision to be in place. • She discusses how guidance from statutory and professional organisations is limited because therapists work in different settings, hours, and roles. • Lynsay argues that newly qualified and early career therapists need a higher level of support and says weekly supervision can be appropriate at the start, then move to fortnightly, three-weekly, or monthly depending on the role and individual. • She highlights rotational posts as a situation where more frequent supervision may be needed, especially when someone is still finding their feet partway through a short placement. • She explains that transitions matter, including moving into a new speciality, joining a new organisation, or stepping into a new role such as research or management. • Lynsay shares her view that established full-time staff should usually have monthly supervision, while part-time staff should not go beyond six-weekly supervision. • She notes that ad hoc support can complement regular supervision, especially when someone also has peer supervision, mentorship, or coaching elsewhere. • She emphasises the value of ongoing supervisory relationships for accountability, governance, and continuity across a career. • She encourages listeners to ask themselves what support they need right now, rather than assuming the same supervision pattern works at every stage. • She closes by urging therapists to advocate for supervision when services are inconsistent and to seek support from other sources if their organisation cannot provide the right frequency. Timestamps 00:00 - Welcome and why supervision frequency matters 00:42 - Why professional bodies do not give one fixed answer 02:08 - Early career therapists need higher frequency support 03:38 - Transitions into new jobs, teams, and systems 05:05 - Best practice for established staff: monthly or six-weekly 06:34 - Why consistency and accountability matter in supervision 07:03 - How ad hoc supervision can complement regular sessions 08:03 - Why changing clinical area needs more support 09:32 - Business coaching, supervision, and different kinds of help 10:19 - Questions to ask about your current career stage 11:19 - Matching support frequency to current need 12:08 - Advocating for supervision and seeking alternatives 13:39 - Listener feedback and thoughts on stronger guidance Notable quotes “I don't think anyone should be going longer than six weekly.” “What do you need right now?”   I’d love to hear from you, so please connect with me: On my website Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook Or subscribe to my YouTube channel Links: https://www.otsupervisor.com/ https://www.instagram.com/lynsayotsupervisor/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynsay-mcfarlaneshaw https://www.facebook.com/Lynsay.McFarlaneShaw https://www.youtube.com/@LynsayOTSupervisor

  6. Aug 28

    Episode 3: Types and Styles of Supervison

    Episode 3: Types and Styles of Supervision This episode explores the different supervision formats used in occupational therapy, focusing on how one-to-one, peer, team, and group supervision each serve different needs. Lynsay McFarlane-Shaw shares practical reflections on what makes supervision effective, especially the role of psychologically safe spaces and the kinds of questions that help clinicians think more deeply. If you only know one supervision model, this episode is a useful prompt to consider what else might support your current stage of practice. It also highlights how supervision can strengthen clinical reasoning, self-reflection, and decision-making across a career. Key topics • One-to-one supervision as the most common format in occupational therapy, from student days through to advanced practice • Peer supervision and how a rotating facilitator can prevent a “free-for-all” while keeping the discussion balanced • The difference between team supervision and group supervision, including when each is most useful • Why a designated supervisor matters in formal supervision formats and how they create psychological safety • How supervision needs change depending on career stage, role, and current challenges • The value of external supervision for small teams, especially in charity and therapy settings • Supervision styles, including reflective, curious, and coaching approaches • How the right questions can help uncover missing evidence, alternative perspectives, or overlooked assumptions • Why self-reflection and critical thinking are not just academic skills but daily clinical tools • How group supervision can generate shared learning, even from issues that participants have not personally encountered Timestamps 00:00 - Welcome to the OT supervision conversation 00:08 - Why supervision format matters in occupational therapy 00:46 - Formal supervision versus peer supervision 01:16 - Rotating facilitation in peer supervision groups 02:19 - Avoiding a free-for-all in peer discussion 03:19 - Team supervision versus group supervision 04:19 - Why psychologically safe supervision relationships matter 04:49 - Choosing supervision based on career stage and current needs 05:19 - Outsourcing supervision for small teams 06:19 - Thinking beyond “this is how we always do it” 06:49 - Supervision styles and how they differ from supervision formats 07:19 - The power of reflective and curious questions 07:49 - Coaching-style questions and constructive challenge 08:48 - Why talking things through helps clarify thinking 09:49 - Self-reflection and critical analysis as everyday practice 10:49 - Using supervision to test your thinking and spot blind spots 11:36 - Bringing your reasoning into supervision for deeper review 12:06 - How group supervision creates shared learning 13:06 - Coming prepared to supervision with your thinking process 14:05 - The takeaway: every supervision type offers something different 14:55 - Reflecting on what you bring into supervision 15:55 - Closing thoughts and invitation to share feedback Notable quotes • “All types of supervision are valuable, but all types will give you something different.” Connect with Lynsay OT Supervisor: I’d love to hear from you, so please connect with me, On my website , Instagram , LinkedIn, Facebook Or subscribe to my YouTube channel

  7. Aug 21

    Episode 2: Why does the right supervisor matter?

    This episode explores the role of the OT supervisor and why the relationship matters as much as the supervision itself. Lynsay shares lessons from 30 years across NHS, independent practice, group, peer, one-to-one, internal, and external supervision, with a focus on what helps supervision feel safe, useful, and professionally supportive. She also encourages listeners to reflect on whether they have genuine choice in supervision, and what value an external supervisor might add at different stages of a career. Key topics • Lynsay reflects on 30 years of supervision experience across NHS and independent practice, including group, peer, one-to-one, internal, and external supervision. • She explains why choice matters, noting that HCPC and Royal College of OT best practice encourages having a choice of supervisor where possible. • The episode compares internal supervision, wider-trust supervision, and external supervision, highlighting the different perspectives each can bring. • Lynsay discusses peer supervision as a shared supervisory role rather than one person holding all the responsibility. • A strong supervisory relationship is presented as essential, especially one built on psychological safety, clear boundaries, and trust. • She talks honestly about the difficulty of being vulnerable in supervision, particularly when admitting mistakes or uncertainty. • The episode considers the complexity of line managers acting as supervisors and why that dual role can affect openness. • Lynsay outlines situations where external supervision can be especially useful, including specialist development, research, academic projects, career growth, and burnout recovery. • She shares how independent practice gives her the freedom to choose a supervisor who matches her current professional needs, including clinical, business, and supervisory support. • The episode ends with a reflection prompt: think about whether external supervision has been offered, what it might add, and whether a different supervisor could better support your development. Timestamps (00:00) Why supervision relationships matter in OT (00:31) A wide range of supervision experiences across NHS and independent practice (01:28) Why OT best practice supports choice of supervisor (02:20) Internal, wider-trust, and external supervision explained (03:09) Peer supervision and how the supervisory role is shared (04:07) What makes a supervisory relationship work well (05:25) Why safe supervision makes vulnerability possible (06:47) The value and complications of line-manager supervision (08:03) When external supervision supports research, career growth, or burnout recovery (09:48) Why you do not need permission to seek external support ( 10:47) Supervision as a protected space to unpack and reframe difficult experiences (11:14) Reflection prompts on choice, value, and professional development Takeaway Reflect on the type of supervision you currently receive. Consider whether your supervisor is internal, external, or part of peer supervision. Ask yourself whether your current supervision feels psychologically safe and well bounded.  Think about whether an external supervisor could support your current career stage, development goals, or recovery. If you already have a good supervisory match, reflect on what makes it work well.

  8. Aug 14

    Episode 1: What do you want from supervision?

    Lynsay, an occupational therapist and OT supervisor with more than 30 years of experience, introduces this podcast as a short, practical space for thoughtful supervision conversations. Across these episodes, she explains why supervision is much more than a formal requirement, what a strong supervisory relationship looks like, and why choice matters when selecting a supervisor. She also invites listeners to reflect on their own supervision experiences, especially how supervision supports professional growth, wellbeing, and career development over time. Key topics Lynsay introduces herself as an OT supervisor with over 30 years in practice, based in London, and explains that the podcast will focus on short, practical reflections rather than formal teaching. She frames the series as a conversation space for occupational therapists, with future plans to include guest OTs and their career experiences. She explores the role of the OT supervisor and notes that supervisors can be internal, external, team-based, one-to-one, group-based, or peer-led. She explains that supervision works best when the supervisory relationship feels psychologically safe, has clear boundaries, and supports honest discussion of mistakes, uncertainty, and vulnerability. She highlights that, where possible, clinicians should have a say in choosing their supervisor, especially when line-management and supervision are combined. She discusses the value of external supervision for independent practitioners, people working on research or academic projects, those developing new career directions, and clinicians recovering from burnout. She argues that supervision should support more than governance and task checking, and should also address CPD, wellbeing, relationships, and long-term career development. She encourages supervisors to use a more holistic, OT-informed approach in supervision, creating space for growth rather than only reviewing caseloads and deadlines. She gives listeners reflective prompts and practical takeaways, including considering what supervision means to them now, what they want from it next, and what action they will take. Timestamps 00:00 - Introducing the OT Supervision podcast and the purpose of short, practical episodes 00:51 - Lynsay’s background as an OT, supervisor, mum, and lifelong supervision enthusiast 01:49 - Season one will be solo episodes, with guest OTs planned for season two 03:13 - Why the podcast is designed for both new and experienced practitioners 00:01 - What the OT supervisor role looks like across different practice settings 01:28 - Why choice of supervisor matters, and what guidance encourages 04:07 - What makes a supervisory relationship safe, trusting, and effective 05:25 - Why vulnerability in supervision matters for learning and growth 06:47 - The complications that can come with line managers acting as supervisors 08:03 - Why external supervision can be valuable for research, development, and burnout recovery 09:20 - Finding the right supervisor for the current stage of your career 10:47 - The purpose of supervision as a safe, holding space for reflection and problem-solving 11:14 - Reflection prompts: external supervision, supervisor choice, and added value 00:01 - Why supervision exists and why it should be questioned, not just accepted 00:55 - HCPC and professional body expectations around supervision 02:15 - The limits of supervision as a governance-only checklist 03:44 - Supervision as support for CPD, wellbeing, relationships, and career planning 05:06 - Bringing the OT process into supervision to support growth 07:20 - A 15-minute reflection exercise to clarify what supervision should do for you Takeaway: Spend 15 minutes reflecting on what supervision means to you now. Write down what you are currently getting from supervision and what you would like more of. Consider whether your current supervisor is the best fit for this stage of your career. If relevant, think about whether external supervision could add value to your development, wellbeing, or confidence. Start a conversation with your supervisor about what you want from supervision next.

  9. Aug 11

    Welcome to the OT Supervision Podcast

    Lynsay, an occupational therapist and OT supervisor with more than 30 years of experience, introduces a podcast focused on making supervision more useful, reflective, and practical. Across these episodes, she explains why supervision matters, what a good supervisory relationship looks like, and how to think more intentionally about who supervises you and what you need from the process. In these episodes, Lynsay shares both the professional requirements and the human side of supervision, with a focus on growth, wellbeing, and safe practice. She also sets up the podcast format and explains that future episodes will include conversations with other OTs. Key topics Supervision is expected across the profession, from students and support staff to qualified occupational therapists, and is tied to professional registration and safe practice. Lynsay emphasises that supervision should be more than a governance checklist and should support development, wellbeing, and career progression. She encourages listeners to ask what they want from supervision, not just what their service requires from it. Supervision should make space for CPD, personal growth, complex relationships, and the realities of working within teams and multidisciplinary settings. A strong supervisory relationship is built on psychological safety, boundaries, trust, and the ability to be vulnerable. Lynsay discusses the value of having a choice of supervisor where possible, including internal, external, and peer supervision arrangements. She highlights that external supervision can be especially helpful for independent practitioners, people seeking specialist input, or those needing a neutral sounding board. The podcast is introduced as a short, reflective series designed to give OTs practical ideas they can take back into practice. Lynsay explains that future seasons will likely include interviews with other occupational therapists about their career experiences and the role supervision has played in them. Listeners are invited to reflect on their own supervision experience and consider whether it is supporting both their present role and future career goals.

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    8 Episodes

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About

Time for a cuppa? Then pull up a chair. Join Lynsay McFarlane-Shaw, OT supervisor, on the OT Supervision Podcast as we explore supervision with a difference. The OT Supervision Podcast explores occupational therapy supervision, reflective practice and professional development for occupational therapists at every stage of their career. Hosted by Lynsay McFarlane-Shaw, an experienced occupational therapist and supervisor, the podcast offers practical insights and thoughtful conversations on getting more from supervision, choosing the right supervisor, building clinical confidence, navigating professional challenges, and supporting wellbeing at work. Whether you’re an occupational therapy student, a newly qualified OT, an experienced practitioner, an independent therapist or a clinical supervisor, discover ideas you can reflect on and apply to your own practice. Each episode offers a fresh perspective on how effective occupational therapy supervision can support you, your practice and your professional life. Lynsay will look beyond the ordinary and expected, focusing on small shifts that make supervision holistic, where OT supervision meets real life. Connecting with therapists' experiences across the career span. Join Lynsay for educational insights, reflections, and real conversations. Each session ends with a takeaway, something to ponder or apply to your own practice.

Information

  • Creator
    Lynsay McFarlane-Shaw, OT Supervisor
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    9
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    OT Supervision Podcast