The Reflecting Team Approach: Different Uses in Live Supervision and Group Supervision with both Family Therapy Trainees and Practitioners

Abstract

The reflecting team is a well-known and frequently used approach in the systemic supervision of groups. Such supervision can be facilitated both as live supervision and (retrospective) group supervision. This chapter will explore different uses of the reflecting team, both in pre-qualification and post-qualification supervision of family therapy and systemic practice. For example, the supervision group can be allocated different perspectives and roles, (for example, in family therapy, the perspective of the mother and the daughter; or in supervision of team process, the perspective of the psychologist and the manager, and so on) or different theoretical perspectives (for example, structural, narrative or solution focused, and so on) in the process of supervision. The supervisor can choose between many different positions both in live and in retrospective group supervision. Different positions will be described and discussed in relation to training and the development of students and qualified family therapists, the ethical issues and the impact for clients and on the therapy process. The chapter contains suggestions for exercises and activities and examples from practice will be given to illustrate the ideas and how they can be useful.