An Existential-Phenomenological Inquiry into the Meaning of Clinical Supervision

What do we mean when we talk about 'Existential-Phenomenological Supervision?'

Abstract

A study utilising a phenomenological research method was undertaken to surface the essential structures of the concept 'existential-phenomenological clinical supervision', as experienced by a sample of eighteen existential therapists who were also both facilitating and receiving such supervision. Content analysis and frequency measuring were performed. These operations identified four dimensions of groups of statements describing existential-phenomenological supervision from the perspective of supervisors: 'attending to the 'Being' of the supervisee', 'support and maintenance of a philosophical attitude'; promotion of relational perspective', and 'supervisor as colleague/mentor'. These four dimensions of groups of statements were also generated describing existential-phenomenological supervision from the perspective of supervisees. Overall there was a marked congruence between statements describing existential-phenomenological supervision, whether participants responded as facilitators or as supervisees. An exhaustive summary statement was generated and distributed to co-researchers, who provided feedback on the extent to which they felt this captured their subjective sense of the phenomenon. They were also asked to reflect upon the impact of this research on their own supervisory activities. While further research is necessary, these preliminary findings may evidence the degree to which existential-phenomenological supervision constitutes a distinctive form of supervision characterised by its focus on ways of being in relationship and on collaborative, non-authoritative exploration and reflection.