Creative Action Methods in Supervision and Coaching

by Anna Chesner, Céline Butté, Bryn Jones

Overview

Creative Action Methods in Supervision and Coaching provides an accessible yet informative introduction to the key philosophy, theories and techniques for effective creative supervision practice. Co-authored by three experienced creative supervisors, this book investigates and answers key questions such as “What are action methods?” and “Why use creativity in supervision?” to highlight how creative supervision works and why it matters.

Guidance on best practice is supported by key research and theory within the field and demonstrated in practice by insights from supervisee contributors throughout. Divided into three distinct parts, chapters cover:

-          An introduction to action methods in supervision

-          The application of creative techniques to supervision practice, highlighting adaptions to methods for groups or individuals, and in-person or online

-          Supervision beyond the clinic, including non-clinical supervision with educators and creatives and guidance for supervision practice outdoors

This book is a core reference for trained supervisors who are wishing to inject a more creative approach into their work and for those undertaking a training in clinical and process supervision who have an interest in embodied and creative interventions.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781032564654
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	01/23/2026
Pages:	166
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

About the Author

Anna Chesner is a psychotherapist, dramatherapist and co-director of the London Centre for Psychodrama, UK, which trains group and individual psychotherapists to UKCP registered level. She runs a private psychotherapy and supervision practice in London and has taught extensively in Europe and Asia.

Céline Butté is a registered dance movement psychotherapist and supervisor who works online, in the studio and outdoors. She teaches dance movement psychotherapy and supervision internationally and is co-editor of Embodied Approaches to Supervision: The Listening Body (Routledge, 2023).

Bryn Jones is a registered dramatherapist and supervisor. He teaches on the MA Drama and Movement Therapy programme at Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, University of London, UK. His clinical practice includes working with adults on an addiction therapy programme.

Table of Contents

Introduction  PART ONE: An Introduction to Action Methods in Supervision  1. Creativity, Spontaneity and Relationship, a Morenian Perspective  2. Warmup as Process and Activity  3. An Integrative Theory of Supervision  PART TWO: Creative Techniques as Applied to Supervision  4. Small World Technique  5. Working with the Psychodramatic Techniques of Role, Double and Mirror  6. Supervising Groups and Teams  7. Creative Techniques in Group Supervision  8. The Six Shape Supervision Structure  9. The Seven Step Relationship Sequence  10. Mandala  11. Framework for the Embodied Reflective Narrative  PART THREE: Supervision Beyond the Clinic  12. Supervision Beyond the Clinic  13. Receptive. Responsive. Reciprocal: An Emerging Methodology for Safe Supervision Practice With.In the Outdoors  Concluding Thoughts  The Creative Supervisor Toolkit  Glossary

Editorial Reviews

'This is a much-needed and exceptionally practical book, combining elegant theory with decades of practice wisdom from authors Chesner, Butté and Jones, who are leaders in their fields. This is an essential 'how-to' resource for supervisors and coaches, offering a feast of creative ideas for use in clinical and non-clinical settings.'

Clark Baim, PhD, Director, Birmingham Institute for Psychodrama, UK; Former Honorary President, British Psychodrama Association

‘Expanding the foundational work of Antony Williams on visual and active supervision, the authors of Creative Action Methods in Supervision and Coaching offer a practical, accessible, and versatile guide to enriching and deepening the processes of individual, group, virtual, and outdoor supervision. Just as Williams’ book was gifted to me by my first supervisor, this one is destined to become part of a legacy connecting supervisors and supervisees across generations.’

Craig Haen, Ph.D., RDT, CGP, LCAT, AGPA-F, Training Director, The Kint Institute, USA

‘Congratulations to Anna Chesner, Céline Butté and Bryn Jones for this stimulating and delightful book on supervision, combining especially Morenian perspectives with embodied, practical and creative techniques. Professionals from the fields of psychotherapy, creative arts therapies, coaching and body psychotherapy may find abundant new stimuli for their supervision processes, following the clinical vignettes, practical examples and clear illustrations of action methods and creative techniques that can be applied in- and outside of the clinical space.’

Heidrun Panhofer, PhD, Director of the Master’s Programme in Dance Movement Therapy, Department for Clinical Psychology, Autonmous University of Barcelona, Spain

‘I am delighted to be able to recommend this excellent book which is one of only a few published on Arts Therapies Supervision. The authors are tutors on the highly regarded Diploma in Creative Approaches to Supervision at the London Centre for Psychodrama and bring a wealth of both theoretical and practical knowledge to the process of supervision. They are incorporating Psychodrama into this process and are offering an original, responsible and very successful approach to the supervision of registered Arts Therapists.’

Diane Waller OBE, MA(RCA) DPhil Dip Psych FRSA, Emeritus Professor of Art Psychotherapy, Goldsmiths University of London, UK; Hon.President, British Association of Art Therapists

‘The book Creative Action Methods in Supervision and Coaching, prepared for publication by three esteemed authors—Anna Chesner, Céline Butté and Bryn Jones—demonstrates the richness and diversity of action methods in practice. It addresses a significant need in the fields of supervision and coaching by exploring practical techniques, the roles of supervisors, and creative systems. The book broadens the scope by taking supervision practices beyond clinical settings, offering an inspiring and expansive perspective for both supervisors and supervisees.’

Deniz Altınay, Psych.M.A., President of İstanbul Psychodrama Institute, Türkiye; Lecturer in BAU Üniversity-İstanbul, Türkiye; Board Member of International Association for Group Psychotherapy and Group Processes (IAGP), Chair of IAGP Psychodrama Section, Co-Chair of the Social and Collective Traumas Committee of IAGP; Honorary Member of the Moreno Museum Association

‘This book is a unique contribution to the fast-expanding fields of supervision and coaching, with applications across diverse disciplines and areas of practice. Grounded in the well-established Creative Supervision Diploma training at the London Centre for Psychodrama, it sheds a light on the vital role of creativity, spontaneity and relational work in professional growth. Theoretical perspectives are richly balanced with practical examples, offering an accessible exploration of creative methods and techniques. Creative Action Methods in Supervision and Coaching is an essential resource for professionals seeking dynamic, experiential approaches to supervision and coaching.’

Giorgos Tsiris, Director of Education, Research and Creative Arts, St Columba’s Hospice Care, UK; Senior Lecturer in Music Therapy, Queen Margaret University, UK

From the Publisher