TILT – Therapeutic Innovations in Light of Technology
Cyber Supervision Anne Stokes
Readers are probably familiar with the Cyclical Model for face-to-face supervision. In this article, after first outlining the model, I'm going to show how it can work online. This is not 'the truth' - simply one version of how it might happen on one day. The model has 5 stages, each with five sub-divisions (not all of which need to be present each time) giving a framework to the supervision process. It is a map, and is flexible, not a rigid structure. In my next column, the third stage will be demonstrated, using material from a live IM session. uContract: the overall agreement for supervision and also the agreement for that session. Its five divisions encompass ground rules,
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boundaries, accountability, expectations and relationship. vFocus: the point of entry into the 'work' - the locus of attention. The sub-divisions here are: issue, objectives, presentation, approach, priorities. wSpace: sometimes termed 'creative play space', this is the heart of supervision. It's about exploration, experimentation, reflection, insight and understanding. The five subdivisions are: collaboration, investigation, challenge, containment, affirmation. Online supervisors need to think about (and practice) ways to encourage creativity in this medium. xBridge: this is what it sounds like - the bridge back
from the supervision process into the counsellor's work. Consolidation, information giving, goal setting, action taking, and client's perspective are the five sub-divisions. yReview: this last stage is both a continuous process and periodic major review. Routinely, in each session, there’s a review of what’s been achieved and what needs to be carried forward. The subdivisions here are: feedback, grounding, evaluation, assessment, re-contracting. llllll
So, here is an example of an online session. jAdele has come to an online chat supervision session with Lisa, and in the first few minutes of the session they