A narrative review of group analytic literature on clinical supervision: Seeking coherence and correspondence

Abstract

A systematic narrative literature review was carried out with the aim of identifying key themes in the group analytic literature on clinical supervision, and to inform the development of theory, practice and research in this area. The systematic literature search identified 103 relevant publications, nearly all involving case vignettes of supervisory practice and theoretical reflections on group analytic supervision, with only a handful of published research studies in this field to date. Four core themes were identified in this literature, indicating what group analysts have considered to be the key functions of clinical supervision—one primary theme: Providing critical holding and containment, and three other themes radiating out from this primary concern: Supporting capacity to bear and process emotionally, sustaining ability to think deeply and widely, and counteracting isolation and enabling creative exchange. The nature of each of these themes is elaborated, and this material is critically considered in terms of the group analytic contribution to the clinical supervision field (considering theoretical coherence) and its relationship with the wider literature on supervision (considering correspondence with other disciplines). In conclusion, some implications and recommendations are outlined.