I’m Dr Jean Penman
Supervisor, Counsellor and Psychotherapist
Clinical Supervision for registered health and social care professionals
Are you an experienced health, social care, or talking-therapy professional? Perhaps you are looking for an experienced clinical supervisor to support you on a regular basis with complex cases? Maybe you are looking for supervision of your own supervisory practice?
As a result of my time working in the NHS, I observed the weight of caring for others. Clinical supervision provides a reflective space supporting your individual practice and will help to reduce work-related stress.
Wherever you are in your therapeutic career, from trainee to senior advanced practioner, the importance of time out to reflect on practice is an ethical requirement and is needed to maintain your own professional integrity. Effective supervision is also an act of self care to avoid burnout and compassion fatigue.
My approach will offer high support and challenge. It is a process that will enhance your strengths and capacity to cope whilst managing your caseload to increased effect and client satisfaction. This could also include clinical supervision of client work with medically unresolved persistent physical symptoms presenting in any medical or psychological specialty.
I will readily understand the complexity and context of your working life. For professional, non-judgemental support contact me today.
Supervision Testimonials
Safe non-judgemental space.
Felt heard and understood to explore sometimes difficult client work.
Felt Jean respected my autonomy and ensured beneficence within the supervision session.
Gained a greater knowledge within my practice.
Registered counsellor and psychosexual therapist
8/10/2021
I have found Dr. Penman’s insight into working with patients living with chronic pain invaluable.
My supervision sessions have helped me to manage the emotional demands of working with a complex long-term condition cohort.
Dr Penman has provided me with useful strategies and tips to keep our work focused and moving forwards when often one can feel stuck and or overwhelmed.
Dr. Penman’s empathic understanding and gentle approach is very much needed when working with those who experience chronic pain and physical problems whose needs are often not understood or met within other healthcare services.
Change Grow Live Recovery Worker
12/10/2021
Hope Valley
Hope Valley is a real place in Derbyshire, England that I love. There are many stony escarpments to climb to see the wider, longer view and the fresh air helps to clear the brain. I extend to you the anticipation of a warm welcome to clinical supervision and the refreshment of a change in perspective on the usual day to day challenging pre-occupations of professional life.
Interested in Supervision?
If you would like to contact me please fill in the form below.
I will write back to you with the offer of a free, booked by agreement, 15-minute telephone consultation to discuss your needs and fees
I offer a choice of Bedfordshire daytime face to face, or video consultation in your place of work or home. Available times will be advised.
If you feel that I am the right person to support you on your journey, please get in touch
Group Workshops
Over the years I have delivered experiential group training and education concerning intimacy, sexual trauma and persistent physical dysfunction to trainee medical registrars, specialist nurses, physiotherapists, counsellors, psychotherapists, clinical psychologists and midwives. I have also delivered lecture presentations to national and local specialist medical, counselling and psychotherapy conferences. Get in touch of you would like some input relating to my areas of expertise.
Jean Penman's Education
2010-2016 Professional Doctorate (DProf.): Engaging with persistent ‘medically unexplained’ physical symptoms in healthcare, Institute of Health Research, University of Bedfordshire, 2010-2016.
2000-2002 Master of Science (MSc.) The psychodynamics of human development (Jungian stream),
Birkbeck College, University of London with the British Association of Psychotherapists (BAP).
1998-to 2010 Continuing supervision and training in group leader skills-ongoing monthly attendance of Balint- Group Leader’s Seminar
1998 Clinical Supervision Module (level 3), University of Luton (over 1 academic year)
1996 Clinical Supervision Course (4 days residential), Health Visitor Association
1993- to 2010 Supervised specialist psychotherapeutic-practice – ongoing monthly attendance of Advanced Balint -Psychosexual Awareness Seminar for continued development: ‘research/training/supervision’
1986-1988 Introduction to Psychosexual Counselling for Nurses (1 year part-time) English National Board 985 with 2nd year Balint-style continuation group, Lewisham, S. London
Recent Publications
Benns J, Burridge, S, and Penman J. (2021) Intimacy, Sex and Relationship Challenges Laid Bare Across the Lifespan: Applied Principles and Practice for Health Professionals. Oxon: Routledge.
This accessible book uses case studies to explore issues around intimacy, sexual function, and sexual development over the lifespan, introducing applied principles and practices when working with sexuality-related issues.
Exposing anonymized real-life experiences of intimacy, sexual function, and sexual development from birth to end of life, this book develops the reader’s insight into sexual wellbeing and confidence in communicating about it. The experiential learning and research-based content in readable style will educate and inspire readers with an interest in sexual wellbeing and how this impacts on physical and mental health. Demonstrating how being open to talk about sex and intimacy can change lives, this guide is suitable for a wide range of health and social care professionals, including nurses, doctors, occupational therapists, social workers, psychologists, and counsellors as well as the general public.
Penman JS (2018) Crossing the physical and mental health divide in partnership with ‘hard to treat’ patients with medically unresolved physical symptoms: from problem to solution. Position paper, December 2018, Version 4. Available from www.researchgate.net/publication/332303578
Penman JS, Cook E. & Randhawa, G. (2020) A collaborative brief engagement with medically unexplained sexual and other persistent symptoms: a realist service evaluation. Sexual and Relationship Therapy, 35(4). Available from www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/14681994.2020.1736405
Jean Penman (2021) Messages from the body, Therapy Today February, p.30-33, published on behalf of BACP by www.thinkpublishing.co.uk.
