Reflective Supervision/ Consultation

Reflective Supervision/Consultation (RSC) is a relationship-based process where infant and early childhood mental health professionals explore their thoughts and emotional responses to their work with infants, young children, and families, guided by a qualified RSC provider. Distinct from administrative or clinical supervision, RSC centers on the interconnected relationships between professional and supervisor, professional and parent, and parent and child—recognizing how each influences the others.

For those in leadership roles, such as supervisors or managers, RSC focuses on relationships with staff and colleagues, as well as the broader network of relationships tied to child- and family-serving work.

The Best Practice Guidelines for Reflective Supervision/Consultation (Alliance for the Advancement of Infant Mental Health, 2018) clarify the distinction between the two terms. Reflective Supervision refers to RSC provided within an agency by a qualified supervisor, ideally in sessions separate from administrative or clinical duties. Reflective Consultation, on the other hand, involves an external consultant offering RSC to an individual or group. See the Best Practice Guidelines here.

FAIMH believes RSC is essential for all infant, early childhood, and family support professionals, across all levels of service—promotion, prevention, assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and leadership. Professionals who regularly participate in RS/C are better prepared to offer reflective support to colleagues, supervisees, and the young children and families they serve.