Group Supervision of Novice Clinical Supervisors: Eight Recurring Issues

Abstract

The authors describe one approach to the supervision of novice clinical supervisors. A central feature of this group approach to supervising supervisors is the eight recurring supervisory issues: supervisor anxiety, intervention choices, group cohesion, responsibility, parallel process, power struggles, individual differences, and sexual attraction. Our experience suggests that assessing and successfully confronting these supervisory issues seem to be an integral part of supervisor supervision. Suggestions for addressing these issues are offered.

The Relationship of Supervisory Experience, Counseling Experience, and Training in Supervision to Supervisory Identity Development

“…In this way environmental supports facilitative of identity development can be encouraged (Watkins 1993). However, supervision of one's supervision is reported to be rare (Rodenhauser 1997) and little researched (Ellis and Douce 1994;Getz 1999). Research is needed on the topic of supervision of counselling supervisors as this is under-addressed in the supervision literature (Watkins 1994).…”

“…Hillman et al (1998), Rodenhauser (1995), Klein (1993), Ellis and Douce (1994), and Minnes (1987) state there is a paradox in counseling supervision training, namely, while the supervisory role is considered important, training in how to be a supervisor is very limited. While training in supervision for doctoral students in counselor education programs accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs may be required and be recommended for other programs (Borders et al 1991;Dye and Borders 1990), many professionals providing counseling services report no training in supervision (Johnson and Stewart 2000;Robiner et al 1997).…”

Novice supervisors' tasks and training – A descriptive study

“…Especially novice supervisors, like novice psychotherapists (Rønnestad & Skovholt, 2003), have high demands on themselves, and they are vulnerable and exposed to self-criticism (cf. Ellis & Douce, 1994). The concept of double traumatization refers to therapists who are under stress in both their therapies and their supervisions (as supervisees).…”

“…the supervisors, seems to be crucial if the psychological treatments are to be improved (Wheeler & Richards, 2007). Especially knowledge on novice supervisors seems scarce (Bernard & Goodyear, 2009) although exceptions are found (Alonso, 1983;Borders & Leddick, 1987;Ellis & Douce, 1994;Nelson & Friedlander, 2001;Quatro, 2002). The novice stage is characterized by searching for a sense of "self-as-supervisor" (Alonso, 1983), while Stoltenberg, McNeill and Delworth (1998) proposed that novice supervisors are anxious and too focused on doing things right.…”

Supervisors' and Supervisees' Perceptions of Control and Conflict in Counseling Supervision

“…Ellis and Douce (1994) hypothesize that beginning supervisors are more likely than experienced supervisors to behave in an overly controlling and structured manner. In addition, given the fact that supervisors are presumed to be "the expert," beginning supervisors may be more sensitive to perceived threats to their authority by supervisees.…”