Dimensions that characterize supervisor interventions delivered in the context of live supervision of practicum counselors.

Abstract

This study empirically examined underlying dimensions from actual supervisory statements taken from interventions occurring during live supervision of counseling interviews. Twenty-seven supervisor interventions were identified and transcribed from the 3rd and 4th counseling sessions of 16 counseling dyads. Twenty-six judges sorted and rated these transcribed interventions. Multidimensional scaling revealed 6 dimensions that characterized the supervisor interventions. The dimensions were interpreted as (a) Directing-Instructing Versus Deepening, (b) Cognitive Clarification Versus Emotional Encouragement, (c) Confronting Versus Encouraging the Client, (d) Didactic-Distant Versus Emotionally Involved, (e) Joining With Versus Challenging the Trainee, and (f) Providing Direction Versus Resignation. The findings are discussed in relation to the supervision literature.A number of models of supervision have been proposed in the past 30 years that describe the major role and functions thought to be important in clinical supervision (e.g.,

Counseling Supervision: A Reflective Model

“…learning alliance (supervisory relationship) characterized by perceived levels of trust and support is a prerequisite for advanced supervisee development (Carey, Williams, & Wells, 1988;Frankel, 1990;Heppner, 1994;Kennard, Stewart, & Gluck, 1987;Ladany & Friedlander, 1995;Piercy, 1990;Wark, 1995;Worthen & McNiell, 1996). Although identifying elements consistent with supervisee development, researchers have largely ignored how supervision assists counselors in meaningfully reconstructing their clinical experiences in relation to their professional growth.…”

Live Supervision: A Review of the Research

“…Some research results provide empirical support for existing theoretically based supervision models (Freeman & McHenry, 1996;Heppner et al, 1994;Wark, 1995a), and further research here could help adapt models for live supervision. Of particular importance is the assessment of theoretical influences on clinical supervision.…”

“…Future research can seek to identify ways in which the developmental levels of both counselor and supervisor interact (Heppner et al, 1994) and further explore the differing perceptions of roles and interactions held by supervisors and trainees (Wark, 1995b).…”

“…In an empirical exploratory study, Heppner et al (1994) analyzed transcripts of supervisor interventions using an attribute rating scale to identify central features inherent in live supervision. From this, the researchers developed six dimensions characterizing supervisor interventions.…”

“…Live supervision literature has long held, and some research supports, that live supervision provides unique factors and qualitatively different effects than other modalities. Investigations into the process, content, interventions, and considerations of live supervision and those of other supervision modalities (Heppner et al, 1994) will give counselor educators valuable information into the best uses of live supervision.…”