If the Measure Doesn't Fit, Invent One that Does: Developing Individualized Feedback Measures for Supervision

• Published in: Journal of systemic therapies Vol. 37; no. 4; pp. 1 - 14
• Main Authors: Hall, Kate, MacLean, Louise
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Guilford Press 01.12.2018
• Subjects: Postmodernism; Power; Superior subordinate relationship; Supervision
• ISSN: 1195-4396; 1930-6318
• DOI: 10.1521/jsyt.2018.37.4.1

Acting to counter the constraining effect of power practices on supervisee openness and risk-taking is particularly important for supervisors in training settings where power relations are amplified. Provided that supervisors respond in a manner conducive to dialogue, embedding opportunities for supervisees to provide feedback about their experience of supervision may increase openness within the relationship. Inviting and responding to feedback involve risk-taking and learning for both parties and can benefit supervisory processes and influence supervisee therapeutic practice. Alongside dialogue, routine outcome/alliance measurement can facilitate feedback processes. However, standardized measures could be problematic to a postmodern practitioner emphasizing individual goals and approaches to learning. We recount our attempt to address this potential tension by co-constructing a measure to tailor supervision towards our mutually agreed supervisee-supervisor goals. The advantages and disadvantages of using this approach are addressed.