Dimensions of Psychotherapy Supervision

Every psychotherapist needs supervision, not only in the early years but throughout his or her career. This book describes a coherent, comprehensive model of psychotherapy supervision that is both broad and deep, relevant both to novice supervisors and to those with many years of experience. The author uses the metaphor of maps to cover the varied dimensions of supervision. He begins with his personal map or genogram, showing his professional heritage and context. This leads naturally into maps of the multigenerational and organizational contexts and interactions of the three players in supervision: the supervisor, the supervisee, and the client. Next he addresses the fundamental reality of the diversity of supervisees; each brings cultural, characterological, and gender influences to the supervisory and therapeutic interactions. These will color the supervisee's acquisition of the four functions possessed by a skillful practitioner: ability to use theory in clinical settings, to apply methods and techniques, to use the self, and to access and follow intuition. The map of ethics overlays all others and guides decisions in both therapy and supervision. In the second part of the book the focus is on means, or vehicles, for supervision. A chapter on case management supervision discusses indirect approaches, such as case discussion, videotaped supervision, experiential enactments, and use of metaphorical objects. This is followed by three chapters on direct approaches: live supervision, consultation, and apprentice cotherapy. This final chapter, written by Shirley Kirby, is a demonstration of a supervisee becoming a colleague and sharing what she has learned from the experience. Transcending specific theories and disciplines, this book encourages continuing professional growth, expansion of therapeutic and supervisory routes, and exploration of new territory.