When you’re the only occupational thearpist in the room: Why supervision matters more than ever.
That “alone-in-the-room” feeling.
I remember driving home from a new role at a community preschool where I was the only occupational therapist. The day had gone fine, but one conversation with a staff member kept looping in my mind. I wished I had another OT to check in with - just to say, “Did I handle that right?”
I knew I was a capable therapist, but stepping into a brand new role left me second guessing how I’d fit into the team, and how I could support the kids in a way that met both the centre’s expectations and my own professional values.
That kind of quiet doubt? It’s one many occupational therapists know well.
Whether you’re a solo practitioner in private practice, the only occupational therapist in a multi-disciplinary team, or a new graduate stepping into a rural or generalist role, that sense of professional isolation can creep in slowly.
You might find yourself:
Wrestling with complex clinical decisions but lacking a second opinion or validation that you are on the right track.
Feeling unsure where to start with a caseload that spans across ages, diagnoses, or service models.
Second-guessing how to respond to ethically grey scenarios with clients or other providers.
Wondering who you get to talk to when the work feels heavy.
This is a quiet, common reality for many occupational therapists across Australia - and it’s exactly why supervision isn’t just a professional requirement - it’s a lifeline.
Supervision is more than compliance - it’s your anchor.
Too often, supervision gets treated as a tick-box, especially in private practice where structures are lean and time is tight.
But clinical supervision is so much more than compliance. It’s the anchor that helps you stay connected to your professional identity, your scope and your values - especially when you don’t have OT colleagues around you to check in with.
The Occupational Therapy Australia Professional Supervision Framework (2025) puts it clearly: Supervision is a core responsibility, not a luxury. It’s one that protects not only safe, ethical client outcomes but also the wellbeing of the practitioner themselves.
When you’re the only OT in the room, supervision becomes the structure that:
Supports ethical and effective practice.
Offers a protected and safe space to debrief and reflect.
Helps you maintain or build confidence in the face of complex or unfamiliar work.
Reminds you that you’re not expected to have all the answers on your own.
One size doesn’t fit all - and it shouldn’t
Supervision looks different depending on where you are in your career.
🌿 New graduates or OTs transitioning into a new clinical area often need weekly or fortnightly sessions. These early conversations help build confidence and provide space to ask the many (and valid) questions that arise.
🌿 Established occupational therapists in sole or rural practice might shift to fortnightly or monthly sessions. These often focus on reflective practice, complex case discussion, or professional growth planning. They can also be a springboard for innovation and creativity.
And importantly, these rhythms aren’t fixed. Supervision should evolve with you - growing and stretching as you do.
Not sure what supervision rhythm or model you need?
My free guide - Supporting your OT journey, helps you reflect on your current stage, clarify your goals and identify the supervision structure that will support you best.
Supervision isn’t just for the tough cases
Some of the most impactful supervision I’ve experienced (or facilitated) didn’t centre around a difficult client case study or high-risk situation.
Instead, it was the slow unpacking of a pattern.
The quiet acknowledgement of uncertainty.
The conversation that gave someone permission to be vulnerable in a professional space.
Yes, supervision should be a place to troubleshoot and clinically problem-solve. But it’s greatest power lies in what the OTA framework calls “collaborative, psychologically safe, strengths-based spaces.”
When supervision is grounded in trust, it becomes a space where you can:
Bring the bits you’re unsure of without fear of judgement.
Explore your own professional identity.
Reflect on how your values shape your practice.
Reconnect with what brought you to OT in the first place.
For rural, solo, or isolated occupational therapists, this kind of space is more than helpful - it’s protective. It’s what keeps the work sustainable and connected to purpose.
Start with self-reflection
The first step to meaningful supervision isn’t just booking a session. It’s checking in with where you’re at.
You might ask:
What parts of my practice feel strong and which feel uncertain?
Am I getting the kind of feedback I need to grow?
Do I feel like I have a safe space to process ethical or emotional challenges?
Is my current supervisor arrangement still meeting my needs?
These are the kinds of questions I explore in the free guide I created: Supporting your OT journey with purpose.
This resource is designed to help you:
Reflect on your current practice context.
Identify what stage of development you’re in (and how that shapes your needs).
Consider what kind of supervision model, frequency and focus might support you.
Because supervision isn’t just about staying registered - it’s about staying connected.
A resource to guide you.
These are the kinds of questions I explore in my free guide: Supporting your OT journey with purpose.
It’s designed to help you:
Reflect on your current practice context.
Identify what stage of development you’re in (and what that means for supervision).
Consider what model, frequency and focus might best support you.
Because supervision isn’t just about staying registered - it’s about staying connected.
Ready to feel less alone in the room?
Supervision isn’t an optional extra. It’s what helps you hold the complexity of your work with clarity, courage and support.
You don’t need to carry it all on your own. And you don’t need to wait until it feels heavy to seek support.
Download the free guide here and let’s explore how supervision can meet you - exactly where you are.
Reference: Occupational Therapy Australia (2025).