Supervisee Countertransference: A Holistic Supervision Approach

Abstract

Countertransference (CT) has been recognized as a significant variable in the process and outcome of therapy and counseling for over 100 years. A review of the literature suggests that little attention has been devoted to strategies that supervisors can use to address CT in supervision with novice counselors. Informed by models of CT proposed by Ladany, Friedlander, and Nelson () and Van Wagoner, Gelso, Hayes, and Diemer (), this article provides counselor educators and field placement supervisors with a reflective strategy for the holistic supervision of CT.

Counselor Education and Title IX: Current Perceptions and Questions

“…Similarly, although the participants described university‐level resources where students may learn about Title IX regulations, it is unlikely that counselor education students would be able to discern how these apply specifically in a counselor education program. Counselor educators regularly hear about student personal life experiences and intentionally ask students to reflect on the relevance of their experiences to their work as counselors (e.g., Beckerman, ; Frawley‐O'Dea & Sarnat, ; Gladding, ; Howard, Inman, & Altman, ; Ponton & Sauerheber, ; Yalom & Leszcz, ). Only a specialized statement could fully explain how Title IX applies in counselor education.…”

“…A primary concern, consequently, is how counselor educators can abide by these important federal regulations while simultaneously preparing effective counselors. It is well‐established that personal experiences impact work as a professional counselor and that counselor educators and supervisors are responsible for helping students develop effective ways to take care of themselves while providing client‐centered care (e.g., ACA, ; Association for Counselor Education and Supervision, ; Frawley‐O'Dea & Sarnat, ; Gladding, ; Howard, Inman, & Altman, ; Ponton & Sauerheber, ; Yalom & Leszcz, ). No federal guidance can possibly address the subtle complexities of how the law should be applied in all settings; therefore, the purpose of this study was to capture common practices and perceptions of counselor educators on complex questions related to Title IX.…”

“…This expanded scope affects the work of counselor educators in that student disclosures of experiences with gender‐based discrimination, sexual harassment, and sexual violence may necessitate a report to university officials (Lhamon, ; White House Task Force to Protect Students From Sexual Assault, ). Such requirements may affect the work of counselor educators differently than faculty in other disciplines because preparing students to become effective professional counselors sometimes requires the students to reflect on their own identities and experiences (e.g., Beckerman, ; Frawley‐O'Dea & Sarnat, ; Gladding, ; Howard, Inman & Altman, ; Ponton & Sauerheber, ; Yalom & Leszcz, ).…”

Development and Initial Psychometrics of Counseling Supervisor’s Behavior Questionnaire

“…There are a lot of studies that recognize the importance of supervision and focus on different models, techniques, and strategies to better serve the needs of supervisees (e.g., Giordano, Clarke, & Borders, 2013; Lassiter, Napolitano, Culbreth, & Ng, 2008; McGlothlin, Rainey, & Kindsvatter, 2005; Richard, Ponton & Sauerheber, 2014). However, there seems to be less emphasis on developing measures that assess different aspects related to supervision.…”