Beginning and expert supervisors’ descriptions of effective and less effective supervision

ABSTRACT

In this study, we explored beginning, expert academic, and expert sitesupervisors’ descriptions of effective and less effective supervision sessions via a mixed-methods design. Content analysis revealed eight themes of supervisors’ descriptions (e.g., supervisee’s traits and experience, supervisor’s self-awareness/self-reflectivity on similarities and differences, supervisory relationship). Chi-square analysis yielded frequency differences among effectiveness categories (i.e., effective, less effective) and supervisor profiles (i.e., beginning, expert academic, and expert site). We discuss the results and provide research, practice, and training implications.

KEYWORDS:

• Supervision effectiveness
• beginning supervisor
• expert supervisor
• site supervisor

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Gülşah Kemer

Gülşah Kemer is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Counseling and Human Services at Old Dominion University. She specializes in counselor training and clinical supervision. Her scholarly agenda is focused around clinical supervisors and supervisor development. She is currently studying beginning and expert clinical supervisors, particularly what supervisors think and how their thoughts inform their supervision practices. Originally from Turkey, Dr. Kemer collaborates with supervision researchers in her home country as well as colleagues in the United States.

Zahide Sunal

Zahide Sunal is a doctoral student in the Department of Counseling and Human Services at Old Dominion University. Zahide has a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Her primary research area includes the supervisory working alliance, supervisee and supervisor perceptions of supervision, and diversity issues.

Chi Li

Chi Li is a doctoral student in the Department of Counseling and Human Services at Old Dominion University. Chi has two master’s degrees, in counseling and educational administration. Her primary research interests are the supervisory working alliance, expert supervisors’ practices, counselor training, and counseling self-efficacy.

Melanie Burgess

Melanie Burgess is a doctoral student in the Department of Counseling and Human Services at Old Dominion University. Melanie has a master’s degree in School Counseling. Her primary research areas are school counseling supervision practices, school counseling preparation, and school counselors’ use of data to inform their comprehensive school counseling program.