Ever notice that even with years of training and clinical experience, private practice can still present unexpected challenges? For many therapists — whether highly specialised or new to “the game” — the journey through private practice demands ongoing navigation and refinement. That's where The Contained Clinician steps in, offering a unique blend of community, expert supervision, and practical resources that support therapists at every stage of their professional life.

Recently, I had the pleasure of speaking with Aisha Gordon-Hiles, one of the founders of The Contained Clinician, and the passion for supporting fellow therapists was palpable. The core mission? To create a space where counsellors and psychotherapists can thrive, not just survive, in the complex and often isolating world of counselling and psychotherapy practice.

What is "The Contained Clinician"?

It's more than just a supervision platform; it's a comprehensive support system designed to:

Foster a Sense of Community:

Therapists can connect with peers across modalities and specialisms, share experiences, and build a supportive network.

This is particularly vital for practitioners working in specialised or complex fields like psychosexual therapy, where peer connection can be even more crucial.

Provide Access to Diverse Expertise:

Members can tap into a pool of supervisors with specialist knowledge across a range of client presentations, including complex relational and psychosexual issues.

This enables a tailored, clinically rich supervision experience that grows alongside the therapist’s own professional development.

Fill the Gaps in Traditional Training:

Recognising that even the most comprehensive training can't prepare therapists for every eventuality in private practice, The Contained Clinician offers ongoing professional development and resources on crucial areas like ethical private practice management and financial safeguarding.

This includes the new course, The Counsellor’s Compass: Starting and Sustaining Your Practice, launching May 8th, which addresses key foundations that even experienced therapists sometimes need to revisit or refine.

Why "Contained"?

The name itself speaks to a crucial need in the profession. As Aisha explained, many therapists — regardless of experience — can feel "ripped apart" by the emotional demands of their work. “Containment” represents the ability to maintain emotional resilience, set healthy relational boundaries, and create a sustainable therapeutic presence, both for themselves and for their clients.

Key Features:

Autonomy in Supervision:

Members have the flexibility to choose supervisors based on their clinical needs and areas of focus, whether that's working with complex trauma, psychosexual difficulties, relationship dynamics, cultural complexities, and more.

Group Supervision:

Fosters rich, collaborative learning across different stages of practice. Mixed groups of qualified and trainee therapists offer opportunities for layered, peer-supported growth.

Comprehensive Resources:

From clinical tools to private practice planning, members have access to practical, immediately applicable resources designed to safeguard both client work and the therapist’s business foundations.

Emphasis on Relational Practice:

The founders are relationally trained and promote authenticity, openness, and clinical curiosity within the supervisory relationship.

Value of Feedback:

The platform evolves in response to member feedback, ensuring the support offered remains dynamic and relevant to therapists’ changing needs.

Why Does Supervision Matter to Clients?

As the conversation highlighted, supervision isn't just about professional compliance — it's central to ethical, effective client care. Good supervision helps therapists to:

Identify Blind Spots:

Supervisors offer a reflective lens to uncover subtle clinical dynamics, particularly important when working with complex psychosexual or nuanced relational issues.

Maintain Ethical Practice:

Supervision supports therapists in navigating intricate boundaries, ethical considerations, and the nuanced realities of therapeutic work.

Process Emotional Demands:

It provides a protected space for therapists to metabolise the emotional impact of their client work, preventing burnout and fostering clinical resilience.

A Passion for the Profession:

What truly shines through is the genuine care and dedication of the founders. They've created a platform that honours the complexities of the therapist’s role, whether newly qualified or decades into practice. The Contained Clinician is about creating a sustainable, connected professional life — one where therapists can continue to grow, reflect, and thrive.

How to Learn More:

Visit the website: www.thecontainedclinician.com

The Counsellor's Compass course launches May 8th and will be available for a limited time for a special introductory price. Details of the course can be found here.

The Contained Clinician isn't just a platform — it’s a movement towards a stronger, more resilient future for therapists across all stages and specialisms.