Development of supervision personalisation forms: A qualitative study of the dimensions along which supervisors' practices vary

Aim: The purpose of this study was to identify dimensions for a new pair of supervisory tools: the supervision personalisation form (SPF) and the supervision personalisation form - assessment (SPF-A). These are intended to help tailor supervisory work to the individual supervisee's needs and preferences. Method: Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 15 accredited supervisors (four males and 11 females), principally counsellors and psychotherapists of an integrative or humanistic orientation, to identify the main dimensions along which their supervision practice varied. Data were analysed thematically using principles from grounded theory. Results: Eleven dimensions of supervisory practice were identified: (1) Offering more, or less, theoretical input; (2) Focusing on the supervisee's strengths vs. focusing on their difficulties; (3) Focusing more, or less, on the supervisory relationship; (4) Providing more, or less, structure; (5) Focusing on the client's issues vs. focusing on the supervisee's issues; (6) Offering more, or less, self-disclosure; (7) Drawing from one, or more than one, orientation; (8) Offering more, or less, techniques and exercises; (9) Suggesting reading and reflection outside of supervision vs. not doing this; (10) More, or less, talking; (11) Directly challenging the supervisee vs. not directly challenging them. Discussion: These 11 dimensions have been transposed into items for the SPF and SPF-A, which are now available for use in supervisory practice. However, further testing, evaluation and refinement of the forms is needed.