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?”

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