Consultation For Therapists

As a psychologist whose work is rooted in Psychoanalytic theory, the supervision I offer is based on psychodynamic approaches.  Relying mostly on relational and self-psychology theories, I encourage supervisees to work in the here and now of the transference.  This also includes examining their own countertransference, working to untangle feelings that are induced by the patient from those stimulated by the therapist's own background

While processing countertransference is an essential component of supervision, I also consider it important to respect the privacy and boundaries of my supervisees.  We never push someone beyond their limits to reveal anything they prefer not to share.  I encourage all members of my supervision groups to seek their own therapy so that these issues can be addressed in a safe and private way.

Though transference and countertransference are clearly important, we spend most of our time discussing many other aspects of therapy, including boundary issues, ethical dilemmas, psychopathology and developmental issues, technical questions, and practical concerns such as insurance payment and cancellation policy.

An advantage of Group Supervision (as opposed to Individual Supervision) is the contributions of other group members.  My voice is only one of many in the group, and the perspectives of the group's members enriches the discussion greatly.  In addition, the dynamics of the group often parallel the dynamics of the case being presented and we use this data to help illuminate the treatment being discussed.

Finally, my most important role in the Supervision Group is to insure that the group is a safe and comfortable place for the sharing of the members' work.  When people feel secure, they can use the group's help because they won't hold back vital data, or react defensively to the group's input.  Rather they are able to take in feedback constructively.  As the comments from group members below demonstrate, we have been successful in creating such an atmosphere.Description text goes here

The benefits of on-going supervision are very familiar to me and are echoed in the comments of current and former group members below.  They include the following:

Hone your skills:  Above all else, supervision helps to make you a better therapist.  You will find it easier to avoid impasses with your patients, and to minimize ethical problems.  This will improve your successes and your reputation.

Inoculate yourself from burnout:  Therapists are particularly vulnerable to burnout due to working with difficult clients who sometimes have seemingly intractable problems.  Dealing with such cases in the isolation of your office exacerbates the powerlessness that is the hallmark of burnout.  The supervision group fights burnout by helping you maintain your boundaries, providing a place to discuss the situation, and helping you develop strategies to help you feel more effective with your patients.

Grow-up professionally with a "family":  Long-term membership in a Supervision Group furnishes a unique experience of developing as a therapist together with others in similar situations.  The result is a family-like setting that supports growth in a warm environment.

Build your practice:  By meeting weekly with other therapists, you build relationships that are likely to lead to referrals.  We have found that group members tend to refer to one another, as well as help one another with career opportunities and decisions.Description text goes here

• How to get movement when a case is “stuck”

• How to deal with insurance companies

• How to develop and manage your cancellation policy

• How to manage therapeutic boundaries

• What to do when a client owes you money

• How to treat a patient whose issues are similar to yours

• How to manage your practice when your life is stressfulHow to handle complicated transference (love, hate, etc.)How to handle complicated countertransference (love, hate, etc.)

• How to decode organizational dynamics that are affecting your work

• How to deal with a client whose politics are polar opposite of yours

I have been a member of Jeff’s chronic pain and neuroplastic supervision group for several years. Jeff is an amazing supervisor and group leader. His clinical skills are top notch and he very generously shares his wisdom and experience in a kind, gentle and non-judgmental manner.  He attends not only to the learning experience of the group members, but the group dynamics as well.

Judi Oshinsky, LCSW

I have been attending Jeff's consultation group for therapists treating chronic and  other neuroplastic symptoms.  In the past two years, Jeff's expertise and guidance has helped the work that I do tremendously. He is incredibly insightful and thoughtful in his approach.

Gurpreet Singh, LICSW

Jeff’s group has become an invaluable source of learning, support, and professional development. Whether we’re sharing cases, exploring emerging themes in mental health, or trading practical tips about the business end of running a successful practice, time spent in this group has substantially broadened my work as a therapist. I originally joined Jeff’s group hoping to learn more about integrating mind/body pain modalities into my clinical practice. And while this is indeed a material benefit, participating in these consultation/supervision conversations has yielded much more than any one thing. Notably, this group feels like a safe place to seek a deeper understanding of self and subject. Jeff’s style of leadership balances teaching with listening, and challenging with humor, and I’m deeply grateful to be part of this small but mighty community.

Leslie Coates Burpee, LPC, NCC

Jeff’s supervision group has been invaluable to me in beginning private practice.  The group shares information on all those nagging logistical problems that are unique to the business of therapy—how to set fees, deal with insurance companies, manage limits, and so on.  We also work on tougher issues such as ethics, countertransference, and how to stay authentically engaged with difficult patients.   As we listen to each other, we help create a safe place for honest struggle and growth.  As I continue in professional life, I would never want to be without a group like this.

Karen Way, Ph.D.

Jeff Axelbank's supervision group has been a fantastic experience both personally and professionally.  I have learned a great deal from the other group members, as well as from Jeff, who is a superb supervisor, the best I have had.  I feel my clinical skills have improved as a result, and I have become more comfortable utilizing supervisors and peers for support and assistance in understanding my personal reactions to my work.  The group provides a professional support system where members not only present cases and receive top-notch feedback, but also have a forum to discuss other professional and ethical issues, as well as personal challenges that impact their professional lives.  I have found the group to be a safe and supportive environment where I could share at my own comfort level, and always felt my contributions were welcome and appreciated.  Whatever point one is at in one's career, Jeff's group provides a professional family which helps its members develop their careers and enriches their professional lives.  I highly recommend it for clinicians who wish to develop their skills and/or receive supervision and support.

Stephanie Sasso, Psy.D.

Jeff's supervision group has been an invaluable experience for me.  It has helped me become a better therapist through the insight and support of Jeff's supervision and the group members' input.  It has been an antidote for the isolation of private practice.  I look forward to coming to group every Wednesday and learning through the presentation of other therapists' cases and by presenting my own cases.  In addition, it has been very helpful to explore how countertransference affects our cases.  Overall, Jeff's supervision has been an enriching experience.

Tali Moskowitz, LCSW

In the 4 years of my participation in this supervision group, I have learned so much  about how to be an effective therapist.  It has been a safe, nonjudgmental, supportive space in which to examine countertransference, how it plays out in our work with clients and how to use it productively to help them.  I have found Jeff to be a clear mirror for me in this effort, and he has modeled for all of us in the group how to be a clear mirror for our clients – and also for each other as we give feedback to each other on our respective cases.

Jeff also brings a friendly, calm, grounded and centered presence to the group, which sets the tone for safe exploration in discussing our cases.  His insights are sharp and clear, and have helped guide my therapeutic interventions to the great benefit of my clients and to my own growth as a therapist.

The level of professionalism in this group is high, and the camaraderie among us during our sessions has been most enjoyable and supportive.  I would highly recommend this group to any therapist developing, building or maintaining a private practice, and also to those working in agencies and clinics who could use the added support of an outside source of supervision.

Laurie Stern, LCSW

Jeff Axelbank’s supervision group has provided me with exceptional opportunity for professional growth as a clinician. Participation in the group has increased my self-awareness and ability to more promptly recognize my countertransference reactions in therapeutic relationships. The opportunity to present cases, and to work through countertransference reactions in a group setting provides unique opportunities to learn from one another’s clinical experiences, and to receive feedback from multiple sources.  The group has been an invaluable supervisory experience for me. 

Madine R. DeSantis, Ph.D.

Being a part of Jeff Axelbank's supervision group has been a wonderful experience for me. I have gained a tremendous amount of professional growth and personal insight through being a part of this group. The supervision group provided me with a safe and supportive environment to receive insight into the dynamic struggles of clients, to explore personal reactions and counter-transference's and to receive guidance on how to help those I work with.

Yair Kramer, Psy.D.