Supervisory Relationship in Psychology In psychology, supervision is playing an important role in determining how effectively professionals are able to monitor their colleagues and ensure they are following the highest standards. This takes place by meeting with another associate inside the same discipline and field. The basic idea is to review the techniques that are utilized and seek out alternate avenues for enhancing professionalism. This occurs with both people serving as equals to understand how specific techniques and practices could have an impact on quality. During this process, there is an emphasis on engagement, uncertainty and formation. (Watkins, 2011, pg. 58, para. 2)

These models are serving as a foundation in understanding key challenges and the effects they are having on stakeholders. To fully comprehend this role requires examining how supervision is utilized. This will be accomplished by describing the attributes and the process for an optimal relationship. Together, these elements will highlight the way supervision is utilized and its impact on quality. (Watkins, 2011, pg. 58, para. 2)

The Attributes of Supervisory Procedures in Psychology

The supervisory relationship has been continually evolving over the last 100 years. During this time, it started out as something that was informal and has developed into a way of understanding how to improve the relationship between the supervisor, therapist and patient. As a result, more of an emphasis is placed on having mental health professionals examine their thoughts and key issues they are facing. This has led to an increasing number of professionals utilizing this as a method for enhancing quality and reducing conflicts. (Watkins, 2011, pg. 57, para. 2)

According to Watkins (2012), this relationship is concentrating on achieving several different objectives at the same time. The most notable include: as a way teaching / providing continuing education for therapists, it can focus on various techniques / their impact on stakeholders, the role of consultation and how it is over lapping into other areas of the profession. The basic idea is to improve everyone's ability to understand and address key challenges they are facing while interacting with the public and other colleagues. Once this takes place, is the point they will be more professional and can effectively troubleshoot key challenges. (Watkins, 2012, pg. 195, para. 1)

However, in order for anyone to be successful requires utilizing specific techniques to connect with the other mental health professionals. This is when they will begin working with them to enhance their ability to work with others, serve as a mentor and to effectively train them. For instance, Landany (2013) found that the best attributes will focus on embracing certain skills with him saying, "The relationship has an important influence on supervisee learning. Bringing to bear counseling skills, such as empathy and encouragement, into the supervision context arguably provides a foundation for the efficacy of additional supervisory interventions." (Landany, 2013, pg. 41, para. 2-3) This is illustrating how supervisors must establish strong communication and support. Yet, they need to constructively criticize them to improve their techniques. Once this happens, is the point they can be more effective in dealing with key issues and understanding the long-term impact it is having on stakeholders. (Landany, 2013, pg. 41, para. 2-3)

When these concepts are embraced, a strong bond is established between the supervisor and therapist. This helps them to provide added insights about how to effectively deal with patients and the kinds of tactics they are embracing. Over the course of time, a sense of trust is built between the different parties. Evidence of this can be seen with Farber (2010) stating, "These foundational competencies provide the grounding for development and performance of functional competencies, which include the professional activities of assessment, intervention, consultation, research/evaluation, supervision/teaching, administration, and advocacy. Guided by this overarching framework of foundational and functional competencies, efforts are well underway to elucidate increasing levels of specification of competencies within specific domains of psychology practice, a major aim of which is to facilitate the development of integrated competency-based education and training. (Farber, 2010-page 1, para. 1) This is showing how the best attributes require having open communication, understanding and objectivity. Once this takes place, is the point they are able to connect with stakeholders and see the long-term impacts on them.

As a result, the best attributes of an effective supervisor is to building a strong working relationship with the therapist. This is based upon trust, openness, effective communication, education, experience and helping the individual to troubleshoot key challenges with their practices. Over the course of time, this ensures that they...

When this happens, they have an avenue for seeking out support and learning how to become more experienced in addressing key issues. (Landany, 2013, pg. 41, para. 2-3)
In this case, the therapist -- supervisor relationship is enhanced. These changes are taking place with the supervisor serving as an educated mentor early on. Then, they evolve into colleagues who are discussing a number of issues. In this case, one can argue that Landany is focused on improving the supervisors -- therapist -- client triad. This takes place with both of them playing an active role. It is at this point, they will build a strong foundation to enhance the therapist's skills and professionalism. Once this occurs, the client will benefit by having someone who they can trust and is continually improving their abilities. (Landany, 2013, pg. 41, para. 2-3)

The Process for an Optimal and Supervisory Relationship / Alliance in Psychology

The process for developing an optimal supervisory relationship involves working off a supervisor -- therapist -- client approach. This requires having flexibility and understanding how the therapist will continue to change over the course of time. According to Stoltenberg (2005), these shifts are based upon the levels of experience and the amount of time someone has been working in the field. Commenting about these techniques he said, "High levels of early structure in supervision should have the effect of helping control supervisees' anxiety and give them direction for exploring and understanding the intervention process. As their skill level and understanding increases, they are better able to take more responsibility for their learning and growth in the supervision context." (Stoltenberg, 2005, pg. 860, para. 2)

As a result, the process of building an effective supervisory relationship requires forging an alliance with mental health professionals. This means that it will be much different in the beginning. During this stage, the supervisor will provide more insights and structure. This helps the individual to understand the most effective techniques for addressing key issues. Once this occurs, is the point they will gain experience and become knowledgeable in dealing with other professionals and improve quality. These factors are what help them to become better at troubleshooting different problems. (Bennett, 2008, pg. 306, para. 1 -3) (Lynn, 2007, pg, 373, para. 1- 3)

However, over the course of time, these practices will change. This occurs as the individual gains experience and greater knowledge in dealing with critical challenges. In this phase, the supervisor will become a colleague, who the therapist can trust. This involves them offering advice and working with them like a friend. (Bennett, 2008, pg. 306, para. 1 -3) (Lynn, 2007, pg, 373, para. 1- 3)

These areas will help the therapist to gain experience and greater knowledge by interacting with their supervisor at various stages over the long-term. It is at this point, when their relationship will continue to evolve and grow by forging alliances early on. These unions are built with the supervisor and therapist embracing them. (Lynn, 2007, pg, 373, para. 1- 3)

Conclusion

Clearly, supervision in the field of psychology is constantly evolving. This is taking place with advisors serving as a mentor who will offer their education and experience to improve the training of mental health professionals. Early on in the relationship, they will play a more active role and help them to effectively troubleshoot a variety of challenges (utilizing the supervisor-therapist-client triad).

As time goes by, this evolves with the therapist being able to understand and address these issues on their own. When this happens, the supervisor will become a confidant and ally who can assist them in dealing with critical challenges during the process. These transformations are the result of the therapist growing and gaining greater amounts of wisdom.

However, in order for this relationship to become strong; requires that the supervisor has effective communication, an open mind, flexibility and a non-judgmental attitude. This will allow the individual to be honest with them and understand how to address a number of challenges. Those who are embracing these attributes will be more successful in developing a strong relationship and working with mental health professionals to be more effective over the long-term.

References

Bennett, S. (2008). The Interface Attachment. Smith College Studies in Social Work, 78 (2), 301 -- 317.

Farber, E. (2010). Introduction to the special section. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training, 47(1), 1.

Landany, N. (2013). Effective and Ineffective Supervision. The Counseling Psychologist, 41 (1), 28-47.

Lyne, A. (2007). Empathetic Relational Bonds and Personal Agency is…