Supervisees’ perspectives on countertransference-focused practices and processes in clinical supervision: an exploratory study

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study examined 78 counseling and psychology supervisees’ perceptions of supervision practices and processes focused on identifying and managing countertransference (CT). They reported that most supervisors paid some attention to CT. They (a) rated supervisors who neglected it entirely as lower on effectiveness and (b) rated supervisory alliance higher when CT was addressed in at least 50% of the sessions. The study also categorized respondents’ reports of (a) what cues had signaled a CT event to them (12 categories: clustered into those concerning feelings, cognitions, and in-therapy behaviors) and (b) how their supervisors had responded to that event (seven categories).