Receiving and Providing Feedback

As a provisional psychologist, receiving feedback from a board-approved supervisor is an important part of the learning process. Here are some tips for preparing for and receiving feedback, both written and verbal, in a constructive way:

1. GOALS Understand the purpose of the feedback. Before receiving feedback, it is important to understand the purpose of the feedback and the goals of the supervision session. This will help you stay focused on the task at hand and ensure that you are meeting the requirements of the supervision.

2. MINDSET It is important to keep an open mind and consider the feedback constructively. Remember that the purpose of feedback is to help you improve, your supervisor is part of your team and it is not their goal to criticise you personally.

3. PREPARE Prepare for verbal feedback by having a clear understanding of your work and the client's situation. It will make it easier for you to understand the feedback and respond effectively.

4. BE SPECIFIC Ask for specific feedback. During the feedback process, make sure you ask for specific feedback on your work and the client's situation. This will help you understand where you excelled and where you need improvement.

5. ACCURACY Before submitting your case reports, case notes or other documentation, ensure that it is well-organized, accurate, and complete. This will make it easier for your supervisor to provide feedback and also demonstrate that you take your work seriously. Take the time to proofread and edit your work. This will help you identify and correct any errors or inconsistencies in your writing and improve the overall quality of your work. Make sure your supervisor has all the information you intend them to review and provide some context on what you are providing. 

6. EMOTIONAL STATE Remind yourself that written feedback does not provide tone and that your emotional state will impact the message and how you perceive its intent. Be sure you are in an organised, timely and positive space to receive and respond to the feedback when you read it. 
7. DISCUSS Where you are unsure or need clarification on written feedback avoid back and forth emails, schedule a direct supervision session to discuss the feedback and come prepared with questions. Ask for specific guidance on how to improve your work in the future.

8. HONESTY Supervision is a safe place to discuss your thoughts and feelings, it is important to be honest and open with your supervisor and to trust them to guide you through the process. If this is something you are struggling with, put written reminders in your workspace to reinforce this message. 

9. CHECKLIST Make yourself a feedback checklist that includes some key steps on preparing for supervision and the steps you take when receiving feedback. 

10. REFLECTION Take the time to reflect on the feedback you received and how it relates to your work and the client's situation. Consider if there are any changes you can make to improve.

11. PROCESS Provide guidance to your supervisor on how you like to receive feedback and work together to achieve a mutually positive process. 

By following these tips, you can prepare yourself for receiving feedback as a provisional psychologist and ensure that you receive it constructively. Quality Assurance and continuous improvement are not just important when you are a provisional psychologist. You will continue to seek feedback and guidance throughout the course of your career and the better you receive and actively learn from that feedback, the more success you will achieve on your pathway for  both you and your clients.