Discover a space to reflect on your practice and grow as a clinician.

“'I’ve been mentored by Ari Spanos for the past two years, and their guidance has been invaluable in my journey as a dietitian. Ari has supported me through the process of getting my skills recognised in Australia, helped me connect with the community, and provided thoughtful advice and resources on how to grow professionally.

What stands out most is how aligned Ari’s approach is with my own values and the kind of practitioner I aspire to be. Having a mentor who genuinely understands and shares your vision makes an incredible difference. I’m deeply grateful for their ongoing support and plan to continue working with Ari as my career develops.''

What you’re looking for

My professional supervision services could be a good fit if you’re an Accredited Practising Dietitian who’s:

  • Feeling like a square peg in the narrow, round hole of what a dietitian “should be”

  • Passionate about inclusive practice for LGBTQIA+, neurodivergent, disabled, culturally diverse and size-diverse people

  • Feeling like uni didn’t give you what you need to confidently do dietetics differently

  • Aware you have valuable lived experience, but unsure of how to safely incorporate it into your practise

  • Feeling conflicted between "best practice" and practice that aligns with your own values, personal and professional experience

  • Feeling a bit overwhelmed by holding complexity, including working with people experiencing eating disorders

  • Looking for someone to offer support, guidance and validation without judgement

  • On the brink of burnout

Ari stands in front of a tree. They are wearing a colourful dress, have a green buzz cut and smile at the camera.

My story

When I was studying, it didn’t really feel like there was a place for me in the dietetic profession. I didn’t see the way I looked, my values or the way I wanted to practice reflected in those around me.

I found that uni didn’t equip me with much, if any, of the skills to work the way I wanted to: with diverse populations, from a size-inclusive, trauma-informed, non-hierarchical approach.

Starting in private practise as a new grad was like being thrown into the deep end. I knew it was the pool I wanted to be in, but treading water left me on the brink of burnout.

When I felt like I was about to drown, finding a supervisor outside the businesses I was working for was like being offered a life raft. I felt safer, more supported, and less exhausted. And I’m sure my clients did too.

Getting support for client care was so helpful, but even more helpful was helping to validate and clarify my own values, boundaries and needs as a clinician working outside of the box. In short, engaging in supervision gives me the courage and confidence to do things differently.

I recognise that not everyone has been lucky enough to be exposed to the right information to graduate with a strong sense of their values as a clinician. I have a lot of compassion and respect for dietitians who, over time, realise the ways they’ve been taught to practice don’t serve themselves and their clients in ways that feel right.

Offering supervision is my way of giving back to our profession, joining the incredible supervisors who collectively contribute to a more inclusive, ethical and united profession.

What to expect

    •  A structured and formal process which is strengths based with a clear purpose

    • Contained safely within a supervisory alliance built on mutual trust and respect between supervisee and supervisor

    • Built collaboratively by the skillful facilitation delivered by the supervisor and the content prepared by the supervisee

    • Focused on the practice of the supervisee

    • Committed to providing support, accountability and opportunity to learn from experience

    • Dedicated to incorporating reflection as a principal learning modality

    • Outcome focused delivering on the professional development of the supervisee and monitoring of professional standards

    • Centered on the welfare of the client and the quality and safety of service they receive

    • Relevant  to dietitians in all domains and settings and spans professional, clinical, personal and cultural aspects of practice

    • A process which leaves the supervisee feeling supported, informed and clear

    • An evolving practice that will mean different things to different supervisees across their career span and development as a practitioner

    Content adapted from Dietitian Supervision Resources Australia & International https://dsrai.net/understanding-supervision/

    • Most clinicians engage in one-on-one supervision about once a month

    • My appointment length for supervision is 50 minutes

    • I offer this service via video call to Dietitians anywhere in Australia

    A supervision session can involve discussing a wide range of topics, including:

    • Enhancing your confidence in safer clinical practice

    • Discussion and support of your work with clients and clinical decision-making

    • Reflecting on your practice and increasing your confidence

    • Exploration of your values as a clinician - the way you want to do things and how to approach this ethically

    • Supporting your professional wellbeing and minimising burnout

    • Professional development goals and planning

    • Job satisfaction and career progression

    At the start of each supervisory relationship we will collaborate on a supervision agreement, which will further clarify our expectations for this ongoing relationship.

  • Budgeting for professional supervision is recommended as part of your professional development plan.

    My supervision services are $200 for a 50 minute session, in line with ANZAED APD supervisor rates.

    If you have circumstances which mean that this is not accessible for you, please let me know and we can discuss potential options for you.

My experience

My clinical experience includes:

  • Over 5 years working as an Accredited Practising Dietitian in a private practice setting

  • Over 2 years running my own private practice

  • Professional interest and experience in working with clients from diverse community groups, including LGBTQIA+ communities, neurodivergent people and people in larger bodies

  • Mentoring early career Dietitians

  • Delivering professional development on eating disorder care for trans and gender diverse communities

  • Ongoing participation in frequent clinical and group supervision

  • Ongoing participation in professional development

Interested in learning more?

If you think I could be a good fit as a supervisor, submit an enquiry here and we can discuss what might work best for you!