Perceptions of Individual, Triadic, and Group Models of Supervision

Abstract

This paper presents findings from a quasi-experimental study of fifteen students enrolled in Supervision of Counselors class regarding their perception of supervisory experiences. Considered were individual, triadic, and group models of supervision as measured by the Working Alliance Inventory, Supervisory Styles Inventory, Supervisory Working Alliance Inventory, and the Supervision of Supervision Evaluation. Overall results suggest that the sample perceived the individual and triadic models more favorably than the group model. Implications of the results for programmatic decision-making and future directions are discussed.

Systemic Processes in Triadic Supervision

“…In an earlier study dealing with working alliance, Newgent, Davis, and Farley (2004) noted that triadic and individual supervision were preferred to group supervision. This study, which included 15 doctoral students enrolled in a supervision course and providing supervision, indicated that supervisors viewed individual and triadic supervision as having similar effects on working alliance, supervisor leadership style, relationship dynamics, and satisfaction.…”

Counselor Trainees’ Experiences in Triadic Supervision: A Qualitative Exploration of Transcendent Themes

“…Several studies, published and unpublished, have examined various factors related to individual, triadic, and group supervision (e.g., Bakes 2005;Newgent, Davis, & Farley 2005;Nguyen 2004). In an unpublished dissertation, Bakes focused on the working alliance between supervisors and supervisees within individual and triadic supervision.…”

“…Results indicated that supervisees who were in triadic supervision seemed to obtain an increased understanding of the client compared to supervisees in individual supervision. Newgent et al (2005) also focused on multiple modalities of supervision including individual, triadic, and group supervision. However, the participants in that study were giving consideration to the mode of receiving supervision of their supervision, and not to their supervision of counselors.…”

A Qualitative Examination of Supervisors' Experiences of the Process of Triadic Supervision

“…Conversely, triadic supervision appears less effective than individual supervision in decreasing supervisees' identification with the supervisor (Bakes, 2005). In areas such as supervisor leadership style, working alliance, interpersonal dynamics, and level of satisfaction with supervision, triadic supervision and individual supervision have been found to be comparable (Newgent, Davis, & Farley, 2005).…”