Leo Coolhaas

About me

I have been fortunate to benefit from clinical supervision for all my career, initially in my first OT role in a psychiatric inpatient unit for children; a long time ago now where we wrote up child psychotherapy sessions verbatim and presented in group with a child psychoanalyst.
I graduated with an Advanced Diploma in Gestalt Therapy in 2001 adding to my approach in clinical work and supervision: client led dialogue, relationship and awareness.
With experience as a supervisee, I consistently offered supervision, completing formal education with the Melbourne University Centre for Psychiatric Nursing Research and Practice in 2004.
I am passionate about clinical supervision and recognise the value to all clinicians. I continue to advocate for the embedding of clinical supervision in all health practice.
I participated in the state-wide expert Advisory Group on clinical supervision from 2013-2014; preceding the Victorian Allied Health Clinical Supervision Framework.
I attend Balint supervision, a method where accredited facilitators utilise a structured approach in a group setting. The Balint approach is person centred, imagining and working with the experiences and feelings of all involved.
My style is to work with the Supervisee’s agenda, co-creating the focus during our time together and utilising a reflective practice style with a focus on support, education and practising effectively in organisational and professional settings.

My experience

I have been fortunate to benefit from clinical supervision for all my career, initially in my first OT role in a psychiatric inpatient unit for children; a long time ago now where we wrote up child psychotherapy sessions verbatim and presented in group with a child psychoanalyst.
I graduated with an Advanced Diploma in Gestalt Therapy in 2001 adding to my approach in clinical work and supervision: client led dialogue, relationship and awareness.
With experience as a supervisee, I consistently offered supervision, completing formal education with the Melbourne University Centre for Psychiatric Nursing Research and Practice in 2004.

My current role/work

Senior Youth Clinician Colac Adult and Youth Mental Health Service

My training

Melbourne University Centre for Psychiatric Nursing Research and Practice in 2004.

My approach to supervision

My style is to work with the Supervisee’s agenda, co-creating the focus during our time together and utilising a reflective practice style with a focus on support, education and practising effectively in organisational and professional settings.