A Supervision Approach for Teaching Structural/Strategic Therapy in a Limited Setting

Toward a Common‐factors Approach to Supervision

“…As a result, the MFT literature is replete with articles and chapters detailing how various clinical models serve as a basis for supervision. There are models of Bowenian supervision (Getz & Protinsky, 1994), structural/strategic supervision (Nevels & Maar, 1985), symbolic‐experiential supervision (Connell, 1984), brief, problem‐focused supervision (Storm & Heath, 1991), solution‐focused supervision (Wetchler, 1990), and narrative supervision (Bob, 1999). The push in recent years to develop integrative clinical theories has also spawned accompanying integrative models of supervision.…”

A Case Study of Cross-Dressing

“…In the first phase, the counselor asked for each person’s perspective as to the reason they believed they entered couple’s counseling, commending each individual in their courage and strength in inviting a counselor into their relationship. Joining the couple through praise for their strengths and courage to enter therapy, the use of empathy, genuine concern, connectedness to the couple, and a trusted relationship with both individuals is important because the clients will eventually be receiving directives from the counselor (Haley & Richeport-Haley, 2003; Nevels & Maar, 1985; Smith et al, 2011). It is important for the counselor to place an emphasis on the couple’s strengths and accomplishments, as well emphasizing the positive aspects of each person and the relationship (Nevels & Maar, 1985; Smith et al, 2011).…”

“…The counselor was able to ascertain the two key core conflicts in which the couple operated under: the need for control or dominance and the need to be forgiven or forgive. The counselor’s interpretations are crucial because a plan needs to be developed in order to begin changing the cycles of interaction between the clients and the structure, power, and control within the coupling (Nevels & Maar, 1985; Smith et al, 2011). These two key core conflicts became the focus of the preceding sessions and thus the focus of the specific interventions and the treatment plan chosen.…”

“…The couple and counselor needed to come to an agreement on the specific presenting problems in order to frame the direction for change and meet the therapeutic goals (Nevels & Maar, 1985). The goals of the couple were desiring to remain married, faithful to the marriage, and wanting unconditional acceptance and freedom to express the self without fear of judgment.…”

Systemic Dual-Developmental Supervision

“…Most systemic supervision models emerged in the 1980s and were based on major MFT theories (i.e., intergenerational supervision; Beck, 1984; symbolic-experiential supervision; Connell & Russell, 1986; and structural/strategic supervision; Nevels & Maar, 1985). In 1995, Betchen created an integrated model of systemic supervision for couple’s therapy which incorporated individual, interactional, and intergenerational therapies.…”