1. THERAPISTSUPERVISOR RELATIONSHIP
OVERVIEW OF DYNAMICS AND INTERACTIONS BETWEEN CLIENT-THERAPIST AND THERAPIST-SUPERVISOR, FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE SUPERVISORY RELATIONSHIP
The therapist is directly affected by the client and the therapeutic relationship, and by the supervisor’s actions in the supervisory relationship, throughout the different stages of professional development.
Cyclical interactions
Throughout the supervisory
relationship:
Contract  Focus  Space 
Bridge  Review  Recontract
Focus on supervisor-therapist
here-and-now process as a parallel
of therapist-client there-and-then
process
Focus on supervisor’s counter
-transference
CLIENT-THERAPIST
MATRIX
The supervisor is responsible and active in contracting and organising sessions, teaching theory and practice, oversees the developmental process of the trainee.
The supervisor is also affected by the supervisory relationship.
It is the main part of the supervisory relationship especially at the start of the process.
Processes and functions of Supervision:
Formative, Normative Restorative
Reflect on content of
session
Explore strategies and
interventions used
Explore therapy Process
and explore client-therapist
relationship
Focus on therapist’s
Countertransference
SUPERVISION MATRIX
THERAPISTSUPERVISOR RELATIONSHIP
Useful strategies at different
levels of trainee development:
Level 1: Safety, containment, support, structure, attentive listening,
memory aid, unscheduled/emergency supervision contact; positive
feedback; simplify concepts/theory; graded approach to client
complexity
Level 2: note development process; use Examples; work with
confidence issues; provide A firm base and clear boundaries/contracts
Level 3: guided discovery; reflective practice
Level 3 Integrated: consultancy, acknowledge That development is
an ongoing process
THERAPIST
Developmental stages:
Level 1: Anxiety, insecurity; highly
motivated; self-focussed awareness;
Performance anxiety; difficult to listen to
And process information from the session
Level 2: dependence/autonomy conflicts;
Overconfident; overwhelmed; fluctuating
Motivation; self doubt about abilities
Level 3: conditional dependency; self-
Confident; consistent with clients; good
Insight and awareness of process issues
Level 3 Integrated: personal autonomy;
Insightful awareness; able to confront
Personal/professional issues; process
In context of client work; collegial approach
To supervision
SUPERVISOR
Both trainee and supervisor must reflect on and be aware of the stage they’re at and work towards further development and competence
Responsibilities:
Awareness of how work context, behaviours of colleagues
and clients, as well as individual personality and
characteristics can affect the trainee’s emotional state.
Look after the client’s best interest, especially at the initial
stages of development
Use the strategies described for each stage of development
Awareness and communication to trainee of Codes of
Ethics in practice
Developmental stages
Competence vs Incompetence
Autonomy vs Dependence
Identity vs Identity confusion
Self-Awareness