The Sacred Circle: Using Mandalas in Counselor Supervision

Art-Based Supervision Techniques

“…However, effective use of metaphor in supervision is likely dependent upon a supervisee's ability to think both abstractly and creatively as well as the supervisor's level of skill and comfort with developing appropriate ways of incorporating these techniques (Guiffrida et al, 2007). Jackson, Muro, Lee, and DeOrnellas (2008) advocated for using mandalas (drawings within circles, considered to be healing) in counseling supervision as a way to increase supervisees' self-awareness and to broaden understanding of complicated cases. Finally, Deaver and McAuliffe (2009) conducted a qualitative multiple case study of eight master's-level students' use of visual journals during their 15-week internship.…”

“…Most of the literature about using art-based methods in supervision claims that artmaking in the supervision context leads to supervisees' increased self-awareness(Deaver & McAuliffe, 2009;Guiffrida et al, 2007;Harter, 2007;Jackson et al, 2008;Newsome et al, 2005). For example, all of the participants in Deaver and McAuliffe's study found that visual journaling facilitated insight about themselves and their clients.Guiffrida and collea- gues (2007) asserted that drawing activities in the context of supervision facilitated ''supervisee self-understanding and awareness'' (p. 393).…”

Utilizing Sandtray Within the Discrimination Model of Counselor Supervision

“…Characteristics associated with the right hemisphere are more intangible in nature, difficult to concretely describe, and challenging to traditionally teach to individuals. The left hemisphere of the brain is used for concretefocused tasks of diagnosing, treatment planning, and evaluation (Jackson, Muro, Lee, & DeOrnellas, 2008). In Western cultures, a greater emphasis is placed on continued development of the left hemisphere of the brain (Clarkson & Leigh, 1992).…”

The Use of Expressive Arts as Experienced by High School Counselor Trainees

“…Studying the technique, practicing it, and having access to necessary materials all contributed to feelings of comfort. Comfort is important because when the counseling interns are willing and accepting of expressive arts techniques, the techniques are more likely to be utilized and accepted by the high school-aged students (Jackson, Muro, Lee, & DeOrnellas, 2008). Finally, the counseling interns reached Phase 3, or "Counselor Endorsement."…”