Beginnings and Endings in Social Work Supervision: The Interaction Between Attachment and Developmental Processes

Attachment theory within clinical supervision: application of the conceptual to the empirical

“…Evidence from previous research indicates that the interaction between styles may be the most predictive of supervision outcome (Bennett, 2008b, Bennett & Deal, 2009Bennett & Saks, 2006). Watkins (1995) argues that supervisors may get "caught up" in trainee attachment behavior; the opposite could be true for trainees and supervisor attachment behavior.…”

“…Bennett and Deal (2009) suggest that there is a strong association between attachment and the level of student development. Attachment style and developmental level can interact; certain stages of development are more likely to activate attachment behaviors.…”

“…Secure trainees are more likely to utilize the supervision relationship as a secure base, or a place to begin exploration of clinical work (Bennett, & Deal, 2009;Fitch, Pistole, & Gun, 2010;Neswald-McCalip, 2001;Pistole & Watkins, 1995). Additionally, a secure IWM perceives help as accessible if needed.…”

“…More specifically, supervisors should not make concessions for insecure styles, but rather guide and encourage (Goodyear & Bernard, 2009;Hess, 2008;Thomas, 2010). Whether the supervisor response to trainee attachment cues is better explained a reciprocal or complementary relationship is unknown, but some authors argue that a combination of both characterizes the supervisory relationship (Bennett & Deal, 2009;Neswald-McCalip, 2001;Watkins & Riggs, 2012). Fitch, Pistole, and Gunn (2010) proposed the attachment-caregiving model of supervision (ACMS), arguing that bond and relationship are essential components of student skill building.…”

“…Some writings conceptualize the supervisor role as indicative of a caregiver role (complementary; Bennett & Deal, 2009, Fitch, Pistole, & Gun, 2010Neswald-McCalip, 2001;Pistole, 2008).…”