ACES 2009
Mark A. Young, Ph.D.
Gonzaga University
James A. Young, MSW
Virginia Commonwealth University
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“An ongoing educational process in which
one person in the role of supervisors helps
another person in the role of supervisee
acquire appropriate professional behavior
through an examination of the trainee’s
professional activities.”
 Hart, G. (1982)
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“An intervention provided by a more senior
member of a profession to a more junior
member or members of that same profession.
This relationship is evaluative, extends over
time, and has the simultaneous purposes of
enhancing the professional functioning of the
more junior person(s), monitoring the quality of
professional services offered to the client(s) she,
he, or they see(s), and serving as a gatekeeper of
those who are to enter the particular profession.
 Bernard, J. & Goodyear, R. (1998)
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Pre-session planning
In-session interventions
Post-session review
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Using new technologies to bring supervisors
and supervisees together regardless of
location
Provides opportunities for us to take
advantage of the benefits of live supervision
Changes the training environment for
requiring on-site training facilities to now
including distance practicum and internship
sites
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Proper equipment
 Computer, webcam, microphones
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Proper internet connection
Video Conferencing Program
 Skype, oovoo, gmail, dimdim
 Screen sharing
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Supervision agreement
 Confidentiality
▪ Clients, practicum/internship sites
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Supervisor is in the session
 Co-therapy
 Monitoring
 In-Vivo
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Supervisor works directly with the client(s)
along with supervisee
Need to determine each person’s role
Feedback is given post-session
Can model interventions/relationship
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Supervisor observes the session and
intervenes directly with the client(s)
May be used as a form of consultation
Allows supervisor to directly experience the
dynamics of the session
Supervisee may benefit from the modeling
provided by supervisor
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Rather than taking over for the supervisee,
the supervisor consults with the supervisee in
view of the client(s)
Gives client(s) access to information from
supervisor
Consultation may be used as an intervention
Feedback is given post-session
Supports supervisee without direct
interventions
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Supervisor is outside the session
 Live observation
 Walk-in
 Phone-in
 Consultation break
 Bug-in-the-ear
 Bug-in-the-eye
 Team Supervision
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Supervisor observes session but does not
intervene during session
Notes are made during session and feedback
given post-session
 May be given immediately after the session
 May be offered during a later meeting
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Affords supervisor more complete picture of
session
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Supervisor enters session at deliberate
moment
May intervene in several ways
 Directly with supervisee or with client(s)
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Can be used in emergency, may be used to
redirect session, and to establish certain
dynamics
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Supervisor observes session from outside the
room
Calls in to offer feedback, direction, or insight
Allows two-way conversation
May use an intercom system or telephone
Telephone keeps the supervisor’s comments
private
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Supervisor observes session from outside the
room
Supervisee leaves the session to interact with
the supervisor
Allows two-way conversation
Allows opportunity to clarify before returning
Both supervisor and supervisee can
determine when the break occurs
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Supervisor observes session from outside the
room
Input is given through an ear piece
Allows for minor adjustments or brief
reinforcement without interrupting the flow
May protect the therapeutic relationship
because clients are unaware which comments
are the direct suggestion of the supervisor
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Supervisor observes from outside the room
Input is given through a monitor placed in the
counseling room
Often placed either between counselor/client
or behind client
Allows the supervisee freedom to choose
when to view the input
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Several forms can be applied
Supervisor(s) and several supervisees view
live session from another room
Allows for teaching during live session
Allows for greater range of feedback and
vicarious learning
Seen as counseling, supervision, and
classroom all in one.
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Using a team of supervisor(s) and
supervisees, the clients hear the team reflect
on the session
Different forms based on equipment/setting
Rather than hear one message from the
team, the client(s) is able to hear several
messages/observations/suggestions
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Supervisors may employ several forms of live
supervision to attain the best learning
opportunity
May be flexible given number of supervisees,
clients, rooms, and equipment
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Timing
Location/Setting
Equipment
Training
Relationships
Ethics