Finding the Right HCPC SEPAR Sport Psychology Supervisor for you

Choosing a CASES (Formerly BASES) SEPAR supervisor is one of the most important decisions you'll make during your training as a sport and exercise psychologist. The relationship will span at least two years, shape your professional development significantly, and directly influence your journey toward HCPC registration.

Choosing a supervisor can be a tough decision, but it's well worth the deliberation

When I was searching for supervision during my own training, I found plenty of information about training requirements but very little about what to ask and what I should have looked out for in a supervisor-supervisee relationship. Now that I’m a CASES accredited supervisor myself on the sport and exercise psychology route, I see the same questions coming up repeatedly in initial conversations and thought it might be handy just to share some pointers and highlight the questions that can help reveal whether a potential supervisor genuinely fits your needs, as each candidate and supervisor is different.

Understanding Supervision Structure/Logistics

The SEPAR route recommends monthly supervision as a minimum, but how supervision actually works in practice can vary between supervisors and understanding the practical framework early on can help prevent mismatched expectations later.

It can be helpful to ask about meeting frequency first, as different people will have different preferences. Some supervisors might offer only the required monthly sessions, while others may offer more. It’s also worth asking if these supervision sessions are purely one to one, or whether the supervisor also works with peers for group supervision.

The format is worth exploring too. Will sessions be face to face, online, or mixed? How does your potential supervisor handle questions between meetings? What’s best for your progress? Some operate strict email-only boundaries for administrative matters, while others encourage ongoing dialogue through voice notes or brief check-ins. Understanding their availability and response times gives you a sense of the support you'll receive when working through challenges which can be handy when trying to plan around submissions and reflection.

Observation requirements present another consideration. The SEPAR requires observations throughout applied work, but supervisors approach this differently. Will they attend sessions in person, review recordings, or combine both methods?

Supervision approach and philosophy

Another area that can be important when finding the right supervisory match is that of approach and philosophy, which again can vary significantly.

Supervisors differ in how they balance directive guidance with facilitating your own self-discovery. Some take a more instructional approach, particularly useful when you're navigating unfamiliar territory or need specific technical guidance. Others lean heavily on questioning techniques that encourage you to develop your own solutions. Many sit somewhere between these options, but it's worth understanding where your potential supervisor positions themselves and whether that matches your learning preferences.

Their style for providing feedback on recordings and reflections is another consideration. Do they offer detailed written comments, prefer discussing observations during sessions, or use voice notes for more immediate responses? The method matters less than knowing what to expect and whether it supports your development.

Experience with different client populations is worth exploring too. Some supervisors work exclusively within sport, while others have broader experience across exercise, rehabilitation, or occupational settings. If you have specific interests (say, esports psychology or professional football), it's helpful to know whether your supervisor has relevant experience or is open to supporting development in those areas.

Administrative clarity

It can feel like an awkward conversation to have, but discussing costs and administrative details early helps avoid surprises later.

Understanding the cost structure and what's included in the supervision fee can be useful. Does the monthly/quarterly/yearly fee cover just the supervision sessions themselves, or might it include email support, observation time, and feedback on portfolio materials? Some supervisors may charge separately for observations or detailed written feedback, while others include these within their standard rate. Knowing what you're likely to be paying for allows you to budget appropriately and compare supervisors fairly.

It's also worth asking about their timeline expectations for your progression through the route. Whilst SEPAR allows two to four years for completion, some supervisors may have preferences about pacing based on their experience of what works. Do they expect you to submit within a specific timeframe? How might they support trainees who need to slow down due to life circumstances or speed up if opportunities arise? Understanding their flexibility around timelines can help you assess whether their approach aligns with your situation.

Again, sometimes it might feel uncomfortable discussing these aspects, but clear agreements and expectations at the outset can help protect everyone involved.

Developmental fit

And finally, asking questions about their own development and career can give you insights into specialisms and approaches that may fit your goals.

For instance, asking about their training route and current work gives you insight into their experience base. Where did they train? What does their current practice look like? Are they working primarily in applied settings, research, or a combination? Their background might inform the perspectives they bring to supervision and the areas where they can offer strongest support.

If you have specific interests or career directions in mind, discussing how they might support these can be valuable. Whether that's esports psychology, working with particular populations, or developing business skills for private practice, understanding their experience or openness in these areas helps you gauge the fit. Some supervisors may have direct expertise, whilst others might be willing to facilitate connections with specialists or support your exploration through other means.

Rounding up

This list is of course not exhaustive, and there are so many questions that are important which you could ask in your initial calls with supervisors, but I thought it would be useful to write some of the ones more commonly missed or considered.

Finding the right supervisor takes time and careful consideration. The initial conversations you have with potential supervisors are as much about them interviewing you as you interviewing them. A good supervisory relationship is built on mutual respect, clear communication, and aligned expectations.

If you're currently looking for HCPC accredited supervision on the CASES SEPAR route, I'm also accepting trainees for the next application window. If you'd like to discuss whether we might be a good fit, feel free to get in touch here or reach out via email at abbottsportpsy@gmail.com.