David Linford-Smith
Coaching & Psychotherapy
SUPERVISION
As a qualified clinical and coaching supervisor, I provide supervision, and space for reflective practice, for coaches, therapists, and those working in the helping professions. I also offer pastoral supervision for clergy, chaplains, and lay ministers in both church settings and spiritually-focused organisations. Click here to see my BACP supervisor profile.
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Sessions are either 60 or 90 minutes for individuals, often monthly, depending on personal needs and professional requirements. I also provide supervision in small groups.
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Clinical Supervision for Therapists
I have a Diploma in Clinical Supervision from Northside Training which is aligned with BACP and UKCP standards for clinical supervision training. As a registered member of BACP, I work to their Supervision Competence Framework and Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions.
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​​Supervision for Coaches and Mentors
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With a Diploma in Coaching Supervision from the International Centre for Coaching Supervision (ICCS), I am an EMCC Senior-Accredited Coach and EMCC Accredited Supervisor, and currently supervise coaches who are members of:
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Association for Coaching (AC)
British Psychological Society (BPS)
European Mentoring & Coaching Council (EMCC)
International Coaching Federation (ICF)
UK & International Health Coaching Association (UKIHCA)
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I adhere to the EMCC Supervision Guidelines and the Global Code of Ethics.
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Supervision for the Helping Professions
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I have a wide range of experience in providing external supervision for people in the helping professions, including those working as:
Independent Sexual Violence Advisers (ISVA)
Independent Domestic Violence Advocates (IDVA)
Workplace Wellbeing Managers
Occupational Health Managers
Youth Outreach Workers
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Pastoral Supervision
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Exploring spirituality can be an important element for many of my clients, which has led me to offer pastoral supervision which is tailored for clergy, chaplains, lay ministers, spiritual directors, and those providing spiritual accompaniment - in both church settings and spiritually-focused organisations.
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Read more about pastoral supervision
With qualifications as a clinical and coaching supervisor, and working across a range of helping professions, I bring a wealth of experience to those seeking personal and professional support and reflective practice in a religious and spiritual setting. My spiritual roots are diverse, but grounded in Christianity, Buddhism, Daoism, Hinduism, and Earth-Based spirituality, allowing me to offer a rich, inclusive approach to pastoral and spiritual supervision.
Whether you seek support in your spiritual practice, guidance in your ministerial role, or a deepened understanding of your spiritual work, my holistic and creative approach to spiritually and psychologically informed pastoral supervision is designed to nurture and support you in your spiritual work and professional development.
I am a member of The Association for Pastoral Supervision and Education, promoting good practice in pastoral supervision. I am also a member of the BACP Spirituality Division.
My Core Qualifications
Diploma in Clinical Supervision (UK Level 7)
Diploma in Coaching Supervision (UK Level 7)
MSc Psychology (UK Level 7)
Diploma in Integrative Psychotherapy (UK Level 7)
​Diploma in Integrative & Transactional Analysis Psychotherapeutic Counselling (UK Level 6)
​Advanced Certificate in Couples Therapy
​Certificate in Therapeutic Work with Children & Young People
Certificate in Performance Coaching & Stress Management
Certificate in Life Coaching
​Brainspotting Practitioner: Phase 1 & 2 (Brainspotting UK)
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My Professional Associations
BACP Registered Psychotherapist and Clinical Supervisor
Member - BACP Coaching and Spirituality Divisions
Graduate Member - British Psychological Society
The Association for Pastoral Supervision and Education​
"Supervision is the interaction that occurs when a coach or mentor brings their work experiences to a supervisor in order to be supported and to engage in reflective dialogue and collaborative learning for the development and benefit of the practitioner, their clients and their organisations."
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“Supervision provides practitioners with regular and ongoing opportunities to reflect in depth about all aspects of their practice in order to work as effectively, safely and ethically as possible. This requires adequate levels of privacy, safety and containment for the supervisee to undertake this work.”
British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy
“Our aim is to help you integrate both multiple schools of thought and practice into your work and, at the same time, to integrate supervision into you as a person and a professional helper... to help coaches get better, be happier and become more effective for everyone involved.”
International Centre for Coaching Supervision
My Supervision Practice
At the heart of my practice is a set of well-defined principles underpinned by a commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion. My supervision centres around the Relational, Humanistic and Integrative approaches, and aims to foster an atmosphere of trust and support, offering a collaborative approach to personal and professional development.
One model I love to use in supervision is the ‘three core functions of supervision’ (Proctor, 2008):
Normative
Upholding and maintaining professional standards, reviewing our workload, exploring issues and ethical decision-making, and ensuring the welfare of those we work with.
Formative
Facilitating the ongoing development of skills and competencies, providing a space for learning, reflection, and growth.
Restorative
Creating a supportive environment to explore the emotional impact of the coaching work, offering support, validation, and strategies for managing stress and preventing burnout.
For my own practice, self-awareness is pivotal through reflective practice, effective supervision, continuing professional and personal growth, as well as regular supervision consultancy.