This dilemma, our 23rd(!), has connections with the last one https://forms.gle/97pp4sjXPzSUrKNv7 - flipping the viewpoint from counsellor to supervisor...this provided a varied response with 4 options chosen.  This illustrates how complex counselling can be, and how there is often not a clearly signposted path that we should take.  

 

The dilemma in full:

 

You are a supervisor working in private practice.  One of your supervisees sends you a message to ask if they can have a quick catch up as they need to talk about something before your next scheduled session. 

You arrange a time to call them and when you do they say that they have found a handwritten letter accusing one of their clients of having abused someone when they were at school.  The letter contains details of the abuse and includes information about an incident that their client has mentioned, but in their account, they were a bystander, not the perpetrator.  The client has described the situation as being emotionally scarring but not criminal - the letter suggests otherwise.

 

Your supervisee is unsure what to do  - they have considered contacting the police or speaking to the client about the contents of the letter, but they would really welcome your opinion.

 

What would you do?

 

As the offense is a serious one suggest to your client that they contact the police

 

Ask your client to 'factfind' at the next session (without mentioning the letter)

 

Ask your client to show the client the letter as part of a 'factfind' session

 

Tell the supervisee to bin the letter - it is not part of the therapeutic relationship

 

Suggest your supervisee contacts their Professional Body to ask for advice

 

Suggest your supervisee contacts their insurance company for advice