Making the case for psychological supervision

Abstract

Biofeedback is an important tool in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders such as constipation and incontinence. In this article, Julian Stern discusses a supervision workshop for biofeedback therapists, which focuses on the psychology of their patients as well as the responses of the biofeedback therapists. The extent to which biofeedback therapists are exposed to, and influenced by, substantial psychological disturbance in their patients, is described. A regular supervision workshop, which aims to enliven the work of the biofeedback therapists, help them understand their patients and own emotional responses, set boundaries and avoid burn-out is also described. The training and support systems of psychotherapists are compared with those of biofeedback therapists. The paper ends with a recommendation that psychological supervision be a mandatory part of the biofeedback therapists’ working life.