Virtue out of necessity? Reflections on a telephone supervision relationship

Abstract

This paper reflects upon the usefulness of supervision conducted over the telephone based on the experience of a supervisor and one of her supervisees. The development of the supervision relationship is charted with reference to the Hawkins and Shohet (2000) Developmental Model of Supervision and both authors give their account of the developing relationship. The role of the supervisor is discussed in relation to the literature. The challenges and benefits to the supervisory relationship are considered when a previously face-to-face relationship had to change to one conducted over the phone. The paper concludes that the quality of the relationship was maintained but wonders if this was only possible because of the strength of the relationship that had been established face-to-face.

Keywords:

• Maintenance
• supervision relationship
• telephone
• reflective practice