Systemic Processes in Triadic Supervision

During a four-year research project that grew out of their teaching and supervision, three counselor educators used a constructivist grounded theory approach to address a gap in the literature on triadic supervision. The authors collaborated with 2 research assistants and 28 research participants to examine triadic supervision through analysis of individual and focus group interviews, observation of videotapes of triadic supervision, and ongoing discussions. Analysis and interpretive theorizing resulted in the identification of the following basic processes present in triadic supervision: systemic engagement, synergy, recursiveness, presence of the supervisor, and community. Description of each process, considerations about use of triadic supervision, and implications for teaching and practice are discussed.