Supervision For Solicitors | Vanessa Gardiner Supervision

Serving the UK from Berkshire

Working as a solicitor, or in any profession that puts you face-to-face with other people’s troubles, conflict, and pain, can, if left unchecked, have serious long-term effects on your mental and physical health. Together we’ll unpack, reflect on, and explore your thoughts, feelings, and experiences with curiosity in a safe and confidential space. My role is to work alongside you and facilitate a life of greater resilience, peace and confidence, so you can be happier at work and at home.

Why Choose Me as Your Supervisor?

When people ask me why I decided to move into supervision, I explain that initially, it was because I wish I had had it myself. Since qualifying in family law in 2007, I have certainly experienced the highs and lows of this rewarding yet challenging career in almost equal measures. Supervision was initially an outlet for my own issues, but over time, I realised that I not only enjoyed helping others but that I was good at it too.

My own experiences as a family lawyer, along with my training, have allowed me to empathise with and understand the people I work with and the environments they work in immediately in a way that others may not be able to. I believe in a rounded and holistic approach, where we explore your feelings, client relationships and the impact of the content of their cases on you.

I am fully present and solely focused during our time together, which allows me to experience your feelings along with you. I genuinely care about my supervisees as the individual people they are and I don’t want any of them feeling alone with their struggles like I once did. This is why I provide a non-judgemental and open space where we can discuss anything that impacts your work, including your personal and family life. Together, we’ll reflect on your experiences, empower you to resolve your challenges, and work towards real, tangible growth.

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Reviews

"Vanessa is a brilliant family law supervisor. She is empathetic, wise and insightful. I did not understand what supervision was until I started working with Vanessa, but it was exactly what I needed. Vanessa has helped me to explore how the pressures of my work and personal life fit together and impact one another. She has a lightness of touch that makes the process feel effortless and enjoyable. She has helped me to build clarity, resilience and a sense of purpose. I feel lighter and more positive after every session."

"Working with Vanessa has been a genuinely eye-opening experience. After many years working as a lawyer, I thought I was sufficiently adept at dealing with difficult cases and tricky clients. However, the support Vanessa has provided has shown me that even old dogs can be taught new tricks. I have laughed and cried during our sessions and have always come away feeling more positive, lighter and armed with tips and ideas for the future. Thank you Vanessa, for being such an approachable, calm and non-judgemental supervisor and for giving me the space to look at things in a different way."

"Having family supervision with Vanessa as a trainee solicitor has helped me to find my feet within the family world. Her willingness to listen and give helpful tips along the way has boosted my confidence in interacting with my clients as a junior lawyer. I find that these sessions help me in gaining a deeper understanding between my role as a solicitor while ensuring my own wellbeing."

What is Supervison?

Supervision is an ongoing tool that you can use to protect your mental health, develop self-awareness skills, and grow in your professional and personal lives. It’s a two-way process, where you’ll relax in a safe environment with someone you feel comfortable with, and bring experiences, issues, or anxieties out into the open under the guidance of a professional. Keeping your problems and worries inside can feel lonely, and in time, they can start to weigh you down – affecting your productivity and health. Simply speaking of your problems or worries can help you make sense of them and will help to release the burden they may be causing. In the right hands, space will be created between you and your experiences. We’ll bring your awareness into the here and now and curiously identify, examine, and process any sticking points that could be holding you back, so you can achieve your full potential at work and at home.

Why Supervision for Solicitors?

Solicitor burnout is real. Legal work can be fulfilling, but the inherent nature of being a solicitor can cause significant stress and mental discomfort. The industry’s competitive culture, long working hours, and our deep involvement with client trauma and suffering caused by some of humanity’s worst traits and behaviours, can take its toll on anyone. If left unchecked, this can lead to burnout, exhaustion, and serious mental health issues including anxiety and depression.

Legatics recently surveyed 1000 lawyers in the UK and found that...

92% have experienced stress or burnout

60% believe their job has negatively impacted their mental and physical health

75% feel unsupported by their firm regarding their stress levels and mental health

Supervision has been an accepted practice in the health and care professions for many years. It’s surprising how long it’s taken for legal professionals to realise the benefits of this tool in our own line of work, but it’s better late than never. As solicitors, we experience things that can cause stress, but when seen through a new lens, these same experiences are usually opportunities to grow and become more resilient. In time, as we examine your thoughts and experiences, you should gain a deeper understanding of your emotions, reactions, and attitudes, and be able to control them in new ways. We’ll also develop strategies and interventions for working positively with clients and colleagues, so you can optimise your relationships and be your best self day to day. What’s more, the changes that occur during our sessions can be cumulative, setting you up for a lifetime of growth and learning.

Who is Solicitor Supervision For?

Supervision can be valuable for everyone from junior solicitors, trainees and support staff right through to senior solicitors and partners. It’s well recognised that junior practitioners can succumb to the stressors of the job and develop unhealthy working practices if they don’t have the correct guidance and support. But it’s also becoming increasingly evident that experienced solicitors and partners are equally vulnerable due to the unique pressures of their roles, including the balancing of partner responsibilities with client work.

No matter what area you specialise in or how many years of experience you have, I’m confident you’ll find my supervision to be a valuable pursuit that will lead you to greater success in your career and an improved sense of well-being.

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Book Your FREE 60-minute Session

If you’re looking for solicitor supervision, it’s important to find a supervisor you feel comfortable with. That’s why I offer all of my supervisees a 60-minute session free of charge, so we can get to know each other a bit and see whether we’re a good fit.

We can work together in person or remotely via video call if you’d prefer. I’m based in Reading, Berkshire, but wherever you live in the UK, I can help you. Simply fill out the form and I’ll be in touch to book in your free session. I look forward to meeting you, supporting you, and helping you to grow!