Supervision experiences of Indian professionals engaging in narrative therapy training

ABSTRACT

Clinical supervision is an integral practice for healthcare professionals. However, little is known about supervision within an Indian context. In this study, the authors sought to understand the supervision experiences of 20 participants in narrative training programs in India. Findings derived from a secondary analysis of qualitative data comprising participant interviews revealed three themes: Supervision as a Space for Exploring and Learning; Supervision as a Collaborative Space, and Supervision as a Safe Space. As a collaborative and experiential process, supervision appears to be a highly valued practice in India. Findings reinforce the importance of integrating collaborative supervision among Indian mental health practitioners.

KEYWORDS:

• India
• mental health
• narrative therapy
• qualitative
• clinical supervision

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the participants of this study and the mental health team at Ummeed Child Development Center.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Ethical approval

Ethical approval from the institutional review board of Kasturba Hospital Research Society, Mumbai was granted in 2018. (Reference No: IRB/05/2018)

Additional information

Funding

The authors received funding from an individual donor who wishes to remain anonymous for the support of this research study.

Notes on contributors

Jehanzeb Baldiwala

Jehanzeb Baldiwala is a therapist, supervisor, trainer and Co-Founder of Narrative Practices India. Her work includes consulting with persons, families, and children in responding to a range of issues that include anxiety, depression, school related issues in addition to training and supervising mental health work. She has been instrumental in developing several long and shorter training programs in narrative practices with a team of narrative practitioners and mentors Shona Russell, Maggie Carey and Peggy Sax. She has a keen interest in exploring the use of narrative ideas and practices in therapy as well as diverse contexts outside of counseling, in different parts of India and in supervision and development of professional identity of mental health workers as well as in organizational development. More recently, she has developed an interest in documenting the narrative work done in the Indian context.

Formerly Director of Mental Health Services and Head of Training, Ummeed Child Development Center (2004 – 2021) she has also served as Director of Family Support and Social Rehabilitation Services at North East Community Center, Philadelphia, USA, and has a Master’s Degree in Applied Psychology from the University of Mumbai.

Trishala Kanakia

Trishala Kanakia is a mental health counselor and Co-founder at Ainaa, a safe space for mental health reflective workshops. She is trained in narrative ideas and practices and uses these in therapeautic work with individuals, their families, and group work. She recently has developed an interest in research and documentation in the context of narrative practices.

Shoba Nayar

Shoba Nayar has worked in university and academic environments as researcher and lecturer since 2003 (in New Zealand, the UK, and India). She has supervised postgraduate students and examined postgraduate theses across a diverse range of topics. As a qualitative researcher, Shoba has published, as sole- and coauthor, in international journals and written chapters for textbooks (50+ publications). She has also co-edited two books, including Qualitative Research Methodologies for Occupational Therapy and Occupational Science.