The Power of Supervision: Why Women’s circle facilitators Must Hold Ourselves to a Higher Standard
Supervision is a cornerstone of professional practice in therapy, ensuring that practitioners are supported, challenged, and continually growing in their capacity to serve others. Yet, in the realm of women’s circles and community-led spaces, there is no formal requirement for supervision—despite the depth of personal work that unfolds within these gatherings.
As circle-holders, we hold space for transformation, healing, and deep self-exploration, but without professional oversight or structured reflection, we risk stagnation, blind spots, and even harm. This is why supervision is not just a tool for therapists—it is a vital part of ethical facilitation for anyone leading sacred spaces.
Supervision in Therapy: A Model for Growth
For therapists, supervision is non-negotiable. It is a professional requirement, mandated by ethical bodies to ensure that practitioners maintain integrity, develop their skills, and reflect on their work with clients. Supervision provides a space for:
Ethical Reflection: Therapists explore complex cases, ensuring that they are providing the best care while adhering to professional guidelines.
Personal Development: Self-awareness is a key component of effective therapy. Supervision allows practitioners to examine their own biases, emotional responses, and areas for growth.
Skill Enhancement: Through feedback, discussion, and learning from peers, therapists refine their techniques and deepen their understanding.
Support and Sustainability: Holding space for others can be emotionally taxing. Supervision offers therapists a place to process their experiences and avoid burnout.
In a group setting, supervision takes on an even richer dimension. Collaborative learning allows practitioners to witness different approaches, challenge each other’s perspectives, and refine their skills through shared wisdom. No therapist is expected to know everything, and supervision is an acknowledgement of the ever-evolving nature of the work.
The Absence of Supervision in Women’s Circles
Unlike therapy, there is no regulatory body overseeing the work of women’s circle facilitators. This means there is no requirement for training, no ethical guidelines, and no system of accountability. And yet, circles are often spaces of deep emotional and spiritual work, where participants may share their vulnerabilities, explore trauma, and seek guidance.
Even the groups or teachers who offer 'training' for women's circles are not members of any regulatory body that requires supervision. Very few have a professional background in therapy, counselling, or psychology, meaning that the frameworks they teach are not necessarily grounded in trauma-informed practice or ethical accountability. Without an established code of conduct, any conduct can be framed as 'appropriate'—even when it may not be safe, ethical, or supportive for those in attendance.
Without supervision, facilitators may:
Unknowingly perpetuate harmful patterns or power dynamics.
Lack the tools to handle emotional crises that arise within the circle.
Miss opportunities for self-reflection and growth.
Operate from a place of ego rather than true service.
The phrase you don’t know what you don’t know is particularly relevant here. Many well-intentioned circle-holders believe they are doing good work but may not realise the blind spots in their approach. Without supervision, there is a risk of reinforcing unexamined biases, overlooking ethical considerations, or unintentionally causing harm.
Creating a Culture of Learning Instead of Just Growth in Numbers
As the popularity of women’s circles grows, so too does the need for facilitators to engage in ongoing education and reflective practice. Currently, we are seeing a rapid increase in the quantity of circles, but what about their quality?
Professional development through supervision ensures that these sacred spaces remain dynamic, ethical, and truly supportive. A structured learning environment allows circle-holders to:
Receive Constructive Feedback: Honest conversations about facilitation skills can lead to meaningful growth.
Expand Knowledge: Learning from experienced mentors and peers prevents stagnation and deepens the work.
Stay Accountable: A supervisory group creates an ethical framework that ensures facilitators are acting with integrity and awareness.
Ensure Longevity and Depth: Instead of burnout or complacency, facilitators are nourished and able to sustain their work over time.
A Call to Action: Choosing Excellence
Women’s circles are sacred spaces that deserve the same level of care and responsibility as any other form of healing or self-development work. Supervision is not a sign of inadequacy—it is a commitment to excellence, humility, and lifelong learning.
While there may be no governing body requiring supervision for circle-holders, those who step into this work with integrity will recognise its value. True leadership is not about knowing everything—it is about remaining open to growth, accountability, and the wisdom of the collective. By prioritising professional development through supervision, we ensure that the spaces we hold are not just multiplying in number, but deepening in impact, authenticity, and care.
🛑 Supervision is NOT a sign of inadequacy.
💡 It’s a commitment to growth, integrity, and care.
Instead of only growing in numbers, let’s grow in wisdom, skill, and depth. Instead of just creating more circles, let’s create better, safer, more transformative spaces.
If you hold circles or support others in deep work, I invite you to join In The Red Tent—a professional development space where we bring facilitators together for supervision, shared learning, and support.
Because when we grow, our circles grow too.
