The Creative Power of Free-Floating Discussion in Group Supervision

Margaret Smith is a retired group analyst and psychodynamic psychotherapist. She has worked in the NHS and in private practice. She has a special interest in group supervision and has co-authored the book Group Analytic Supervision and she is the editor for Group Supervision and the Influence of Culture that will be published on 29th December 2025. She was an independent member of the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP), a Member of the Institute of Group Analysis (IGA) and British Association for Psychoanalytic and Psychodynamic Supervision (BAPPS) until 2023.

Margaret's talk will talk about free- floating discussion in group supervision. The aim of the talk is to convey how, in a well-functioning supervision group, free-floating discussion can contribute to our understanding of unconscious processes in the therapeutic work akin to free-association in dyadic supervision. She will begin with a snapshot of the background before she describes the development of this approach. The theoretical underpinning of this approach is drawn from Group Analysis and it will be, illustrated with vignettes. It will also include an opportunity for experiential learning in small groups followed by questions and large group discussion.

Margaret Gallop is a group analytic psychotherapist who has worked in the NHS, for community and the private sector. Earlier her interest in group supervision led to her co-convening the IGA Diploma in Using the Group for Supervision. She co-wrote the recent publication Group Analytic Supervision with Margaret Smith and has contributed to the subsequent book Group Supervision and the Influence of Culture. Her recent focus has been on training in higher education and supervision for the IGA Diploma in Groupwork Practice.

Margaret Gallop's talk will continue to look at the contributions of free-floating discussion in Group Supervision and its link to the multiple perspectives available in group supervision. She will use the group to explore and discuss this further.

Outline of the day

• 9.45: Registration
• 10.00: Welcome and introductions
• 10.15-11.30: 'The Past in the present' The creative power of free-floating discussion in group supervision followed by discussion and feedback. Margaret Smith
• 11-30-11.45: Coffee break
• 11.45-12.30: Experiential exercise using free floating discussion in group supervision
• 12.30-1.30: Lunch break with breakout group available for anyone who would like to join.
• 1.30-2.30: Further reflections on free-floating discussion in group supervision with experiential exercise. Margaret Gallop
• 2.30-2.35 Comfort Break
• 2.35 – 3.50 Large group. The facilitators will convene the group. The task will be to hold a free-floating conversation about supervisory issues. These could be about the day itself, challenges of group supervision in groups or about what participants would like from BAPPS in the future.

This Conference is suitable for Supervisors, and trainees on a supervision course and experienced Therapists - BACP, UKCP, BPS or BPC qualified.

EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT OFFERING 10% DISCOUNT FOR REGISTRATION BEFORE 31.12.25. SEE TICKET SECTION FOR PRICES.