Essentially Soulful
Welcome to Essentially Soulful—a reflective podcast where psychospiritual insight meets real-life practice, and where lived experience is honored as much as formal training.
I’m DeeAnna Merz Nagel—psychotherapist, aromatherapist, coach and spiritual teacher. In this podcast, you’ll hear me in conversation with Betty—my AI co-host and thoughtful companion—who helps draw out the insights I’ve gathered over more than 25 years in the helping and healing arts.
These episodes are conversational and candid, blending past writings, teachings, case reflections, and personal narratives. I speak both professionally and personally—offering practical wisdom for therapists, coaches, healers, and anyone drawn to soulful service.
From intuitive practice and trauma-informed care to self-reflection, spiritual growth, and burnout recovery, Essentially Soulful is a space for listening deeply and living more consciously. One week, we might dive into Jungian archetypes or soul retrieval; the next, we’ll tackle everyday wellness topics — like the hidden hazards of synthetic fragrances or how to create a healthier home with aromatherapy.
🌀 Think of this podcast as food for thought, not a prescription pad—please seek professional guidance for your unique needs.
🌀 Some recommended resources may include affiliate links
🌀 Please note: All case examples are fictionalized and created solely for training and education. Any resemblance to real individuals is purely coincidental.
Episodes average 10 minutes and include references to original published materials and other resources when applicable.
Essentially Soulful
The Therapist’s Interior Landscape: Depth and Presence in Supervision
What if supervision could nurture not only your professional skills but also your inner life? Join Betty and DeeAnna as they discuss a supervision model rooted in imaginal depth, shadow work, and spiritual inquiry. Learn how therapists and supervisors alike can use the Case PREP framework to cultivate presence, reflection, and transformation.
Additional Resources
Deepening Practice Through Soulful Mentorship: A Case PREP Approach
https://deeannamerznagel.com/a-case-prep-approach/
Preparing Your Supervisee for Clinical Supervision
https://deeannamerznagel.com/preparing-for-clinical-supervision/
A Neo-Jungian-Informed Approach to Clinical Supervision
https://deeannamerznagel.com/a-neo-jungian-informed-approach-to-clinical-supervision/
Essential Soul Care® Academy
https://deeannamerznagel.com/essential-soul-care-academy/
Welcome to Essentially Soulful. I'm Betty, and today we're exploring a different approach to clinical supervision. Joining me is co-host Deanna, a clinical supervisor who utilizes a psychospiritual supervision framework. Deanna, I'm thrilled to discuss this topic.
SPEAKER_00:Thank you, Betty. I'm excited to share this transformative approach to supervision with our listeners.
SPEAKER_01:You know, when most people think about clinical supervision, they might imagine case reviews and professional guidance. But you're proposing something quite different, aren't you?
SPEAKER_00:Yes. While traditional supervision elements are important, I've always felt something was missing. What if supervision could be a place of imaginal depth, spiritual inquiry, and genuine transformation? I'm not alone. There are certainly other supervisors who incorporate psycho-spiritual and mystical ideas into their work.
SPEAKER_01:That's such an intriguing perspective. Could you help our listeners understand how this approach differs from traditional supervision?
SPEAKER_00:Think of it like a garden, Betty. Traditional supervision is like tending to the visible plants, the techniques, the interventions, the outcomes. But our approach also nurtures the soil beneath, the therapist's interior landscape, their dreams, their shadows, their spiritual growth.
SPEAKER_01:That's a beautiful analogy. How did you develop this unique perspective?
SPEAKER_00:It emerged from recognizing that effective therapy isn't just about what we know, but who we are. When we integrate personal growth with professional development, something magical happens. I've offered clinical supervision for over 25 years, and I also teach foundational courses in clinical supervision. Over the years, I've discovered that while we have been encouraged to embrace cultural differences, spiritual exploration is sometimes discouraged. I wanted to practice my craft embodying both culture and spirit. Could you walk us through the key elements that make this approach unique? The framework stands on several pillars: dream work, shadow work, and symbolic interpretation. I've also developed a structured reflection tool called CACE PREP, which helps therapists explore both clinical and personal dimensions of their work. PrEP is an acronym for presence, reflection, exploration, and practice.
SPEAKER_01:The case prep tool sounds interesting. Could you tell us more about how that works?
SPEAKER_00:The case prep framework is designed to be both practical and transformative. Supervisees submit their reflections 24 hours before our session, which allows for deeper exploration during our time together. It guides them through not just case details, but their personal reactions, dreams, and symbolic experiences related to their clinical work.
SPEAKER_01:That advanced preparation must really enhance the quality of supervision. What kinds of insights emerge from this process?
SPEAKER_00:Often profound ones. For example, a therapist might realize that their recurring dream about being lost in a maze reflects their experience with a particularly challenging client. These insights become doorways to both professional growth and personal transformation.
SPEAKER_01:That's fascinating. How do therapists typically respond to this more personal approach?
SPEAKER_00:Initially, some are hesitant. We're trained to maintain professional boundaries, right? But as they experience how their personal growth directly enhances their clinical effectiveness, they usually become quite enthusiastic. This is not about encouraging a clinical supervisor to become the supervisee's therapist, but it does mean that a therapist's interior landscape impacts their work with clients.
SPEAKER_01:I can imagine that shadow work might be particularly challenging. How do you approach that aspect?
SPEAKER_00:Yes, shadow work requires great sensitivity. It's about helping therapists recognize and integrate those parts of themselves they might prefer to ignore. For instance, a therapist's irritation with a client might reveal important unconscious material that once understood can deepen their therapeutic presence. And sometimes to fully understand, the therapist may opt to engage in their psychotherapy.
SPEAKER_01:It sounds like this approach creates a much more holistic supervision experience.
SPEAKER_00:Exactly. When we honor both the professional and personal dimensions, supervision becomes a sacred space for genuine transformation. It's not just about becoming better therapists, but more integrated human beings.
SPEAKER_01:I'm curious about the spiritual element. How does that fit into the framework?
SPEAKER_00:The spiritual dimension emerges naturally when we work with dreams and symbols. We're not imposing any particular spiritual perspective, but rather creating space for supervisees to explore the deeper meaning in their work and their own journey and to allow their story to unfold. This can be as simple as talking about the supervisee's experience of spirituality with their own clients. Spirituality within supervision can include metaphysical dimensions, sacred texts, Jungyan approaches, and more.
SPEAKER_01:This brings me to an interesting question about boundaries. How do you maintain appropriate professional boundaries while working at this deeper level?
SPEAKER_00:That's a crucial question. We maintain clear contractual boundaries and professional focus, but we understand that real professional development includes personal growth. The key is having a clear framework that honors both dimensions.
SPEAKER_01:Deanna, you've painted a rich picture of the framework, but I imagine implementing it might come with some challenges. What are some common obstacles supervisors face when adopting this approach?
SPEAKER_00:Good question. One of the biggest challenges is helping supervisors shift from a purely didactic stance to one that embraces uncertainty and exploration. It requires them to be comfortable with not having all the answers. That's quite a paradigm shift from traditional supervision models. Absolutely. Another challenge is time management. When you're working with dreams and symbolic material, conversations can go deep quickly. That's why we developed the case prep framework. It helps structure these explorations while keeping us focused on clinical relevance.
SPEAKER_01:Could you share a success story? Perhaps a case where this approach made a significant difference?
SPEAKER_00:There was a supervisee who was struggling with a particularly challenging client. Through dream work, she recognized that the client reminded her of her own unresolved childhood experiences. This awareness not only helped her work through her counter-transference, but dramatically improved her therapeutic effectiveness.
SPEAKER_01:That's a powerful example of how personal insight enhances clinical work. How do you measure success in this model?
SPEAKER_00:I look at multiple dimensions. Beyond clinical outcomes, I observe changes in the therapist's self-awareness, their comfort with uncertainty, and their ability to work with symbolic material. The monthly case prep submissions often reveal beautiful progressions in these areas.
SPEAKER_01:Speaking of progression, how long does it typically take to see significant changes?
SPEAKER_00:It varies, but I usually see meaningful shifts within three to six months. The key is consistency and commitment to the process. Remember, we're not just adding tools to a toolbox, we're fostering a fundamental transformation in how therapists understand and approach their work. That's really helpful context.
SPEAKER_01:For those listening who might be interested in implementing this approach, what would be a good first step?
SPEAKER_00:Start with simple practices like keeping a dream journal or reflecting on symbolic elements in your clinical work. The case prep framework can be gradually introduced, beginning with just one or two elements.
SPEAKER_01:And for supervisors who want to incorporate this approach.
SPEAKER_00:I'd recommend starting with their own inner work. Understanding their own relationship with symbolic material and shadow aspects is crucial before guiding others. Also, finding a mentor or supervisor familiar with this approach can be incredibly helpful.
SPEAKER_01:Are you finding that younger therapists are particularly drawn to this approach?
SPEAKER_00:Yes, actually, many emerging therapists are seeking something beyond traditional supervision. They want their professional development to align with their personal growth journey. This framework really resonates with that desire for integration.
SPEAKER_01:What would you say to someone who's skeptical about mixing personal development with professional supervision?
SPEAKER_00:I'd invite them to consider how their own personal growth has influenced their clinical work. As therapists, we are our primary instrument. When we develop greater depth and awareness personally, it naturally enhances our professional capacity.
SPEAKER_01:That's such an important point. Any final thoughts about the transformative potential of this approach?
SPEAKER_00:What excites me most is how this framework creates a ripple effect. When supervisors and therapists engage in this deeper work, it positively impacts their clients, who then carry that transformation into their own relationships and communities.
SPEAKER_01:Deanna, this has been such an enlightening conversation. For our listeners who want to learn more about your supervisory approach, what resources would you recommend?
SPEAKER_00:The key is to start small, remain curious, and trust the process of integration. I'll post resources in the show notes.
SPEAKER_01:Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom and experience with us today. You've really shown how supervision can be both professionally enriching and personally transformative.
SPEAKER_00:Thank you, Betty. It's been a pleasure exploring these ideas with you. I hope this conversation inspires listeners to consider supervision not just as professional oversight, but as a sacred space for growth and transformation.
SPEAKER_01:And to our listeners, thank you for joining us on this exploration of a psycho spiritual approach to clinical supervision. Until next time, keep growing, keep learning, and keep transforming.
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