Experiences of Group Culture and Patterns of Interaction in Psychotherapy Supervision Groups

Abstract

Beginner supervisees (n = 84) and their psychotherapy supervisors who worked in 28 supervision groups in an academic training context participated in this study. SYMLOG self-ratings of actual and ideal experiences of the group interactions were collected at three measurement points: the beginning, middle, and end of the supervision. The main purpose was to examine group members' (supervisees and supervisors) experiences of patterns of polarization in terms of development of subgroups within the supervision group, and group culture in terms of flexibility. The results showed that, for the majority of groups, experiences of patterns of interaction, as measured at the three measurement points, involved changes in role functions or degree of polarization among group members. The group members tended to become slightly more satisfied with their informal roles and the group culture over time. Group members who experienced that the group interactions did not become more flexible also experienced that subgroups, characterized by Nurture or Dependency, had emerged in their groups. In conclusion, the significance of polarization patterns and flexibility was emphasized. A certain degree of opposition and conflict in the supervision group seemed to further development and flexibility in the group.

Key Words:

• Group supervision in psychotherapy
• group interaction
• group culture
• polarization
• flexibility