What to Expect in a Professional Supervision Session
Learn what may happen in a professional supervision session, how to prepare and what reflective supervision can explore.
Read the guide →Preparing for supervision
How to Prepare for Professional Supervision
Preparation can help supervision move beyond a general work update and create more time for focused reflection on the issues that matter.
Last reviewed: 13 October 2026
Direct answer
In brief
Before supervision, identify the situations, decisions, questions or recurring patterns you most want to examine. You do not need to arrive with answers; useful supervision often begins with uncertainty that deserves closer reflection.
What should you bring to supervision?
Consider recent situations that raised uncertainty, difficult decisions, professional boundaries, recurring patterns, feedback, cultural questions or areas where you want to develop your practice.
Do you need an agenda?
An agenda can be useful where several issues need attention, but it does not need to make the session rigid. Its purpose is to protect time for the matters that most need reflection.
What if you do not know what to discuss?
That itself can be explored. Looking at what has felt difficult, unusually draining, unresolved or repetitive can often identify useful material for supervision.
Sources and further reading
New Zealand supervision guidance
Related resources
Continue learning about supervision
What Is Reflective Supervision?
Learn what reflective supervision is and how reflection, critical thinking and professional discussion can strengthen practice.
Read the guide →What Is a Supervision Agreement?
Learn what a professional supervision agreement can cover, including purpose, frequency, confidentiality, responsibilities, records and review.
Read the guide →Related UPUTĀUA service