“THE FLY ON THE WALL” REFLECTING TEAM SUPERVISION*¹

Abstract

The reflecting team concept, a practical application of constructivist ideas, is adapted for use in group supervision. The evolving model includes a focus on the unique "fly on the wa1l"perspective of the reflecting team. In addition to case supervision, the benefits of the model include: (a) the supervisee's ability to be at the meta-level of his or her own process; (b) the presentation of feedback in a less threatening manner; and (c) dramatic insight regarding the process, which enhances work with clients. Not only are trainees introduced to a multiverse of new ideas and perspectives, it is done in a refreshing context which integrates some of the most challenging ideas in the field.

Ethnographic Content Analysis of Couple and Therapist Perceptions in a Reflecting Team Setting*

“…Statistical and narrative data in this study support the Prest et al (1990) observations. This sense of being outside the problem was exemplified in the "Spatial Separateness" code where couples reported instances and effects of this boundary between themselves and the team.…”

“…Concepts or ideas that are closely associated conceptually are frequently related statistically (Krippendorff, 1980). This was shown to be the case and supports the earlier work by Prest et al (1990), who described this process as a "fly on the wall" phenomenon in which an imaginary boundary allows someone to go to a meta-level to his or her own process of hearing. One couple even used the fly on the wall metaphor in their description of the process of hearing.…”

“…Finally, perhaps most intriguing was how couples described their process of being able to sit back and hear what the team was saying to them. In a previous reflecting team study, Prest et al (1990) conceptualized such a process as a unique "fly on the wall" phenomenon in which someone is at a meta-level to the process. In essence, they were outside the problem and watched someone else talk about that problem without being able to interrupt.…”

“…The process of change in reflecting team practice has been discussed by Andersen as the family's ability to hear the same problem in a slightly different fashion. Prest, Darden, and Keller (1990) describe this process as a unique "fly on the wall" phenomenon in which someone experiences him or herself being talked about (while observing the reflecting team) without being part of the discussion (i.e., being at a meta-level to the process).…”

The Reflecting Team Model Used for Clinical Group Supervision Without Clients Present

“…Davidson, Lax, and Lussardi (1991) briefly mention reflecting teams in supervision groups without commenting much on it. Prest, Darden, and Keller (1990) described a supervision model where the reflecting team is used without clients present that is quite different from the model presented in this article. Lowe and Gui (1996) presented a model where the reflecting team is used in solution‐orientated supervision.…”