Experienced supervisors' view on clinical group supervision with student therapists

Abstract

Traditionally, clinical supervision has been practiced mostly in a dyadic form, that is, as individual supervision. However, over the past decades, group supervision has gained increasing attention. Today, many training sites prefer the group format, even though its research base is still scarce. The aim of this study was to explore clinical group supervision of psychology students from the perspective of experienced supervisors. Sixteen supervisors, all working within university training clinics, were interviewed. The informants generally conveyed positive attitudes towards group supervision. Compared with individual supervision, several advantages were mentioned, such as the use of group dynamics as a facilitator to professional growth. The disadvantage most often mentioned was reduced opportunities to get to know each supervisee personally. Some of the supervisors recommended combining group supervision with individual supervision. It was common practice to ask the supervisees to evaluate both their supervisor and the supervision process.