Elements of Supervision in Sexual Violence Counselors' Narratives: A Qualitative Analysis

Abstract

The literature on vicarious traumatization has suggested that traumasensitive supervision may help to minimize the effects of vicarious exposure to trauma; however, nothing from the perspective of trauma counselors was noted. The present qualitative study involved 1 male and 8 female sexual violence counselors who had worked with sexual violence survivors from 1 to 9 years. The use of semistructured interviews and basic interpretive analysis revealed 4 themes: counselor feelings, vicarious traumatization, helpful qualities of supervision, and organizational considerations.

Supervising counsellors and psychotherapists who work with trauma: a Delphi study

“…The importance of the organisation's understanding of VT and the support they offer was highlighted (Statements 3d [SD 01.57, mean 0 8.93] and 25a [SD 01.22, mean 08.00]), and is consistent with Sommer and Cox's (2005) study where therapists expressed the need for agency support for VT that included specific and ongoing training and prevention, as well as recognition and valuing of supervision as a priority. This is similarly echoed in Collins's (2003) research, which concluded that there was a 'need for educators, managers and caregivers to be aware of the possible consequences of dealing with trauma and to take positive steps to minimize the negative effects' (p. 26).…”

“…The importance of this aspect of trauma supervision is mirrored in Sommer and Cox's (2005) study, which highlights that supervisees value supervisors who acknowledge, validate and recognise that VT exists.…”

The Contribution of Training and Supervision to Perceived Role Competence, Secondary Traumatization, and Burnout Among Domestic Violence Therapists

“…The findings of studies conducted to date indicate that supervision facilitates coping among populations such as women therapists working with victims of sexual trauma, therapists working with trauma victims, and telephone counselors (Dunkley & Whelan, 2006;Hollingsworth, 1993;Pearlman & MacIan, 1995;Sommer & Cox, 2005). At the same time, other studies conducted among therapists working with trauma victims and social workers in hospitals found no significant correlation between supervision and posttraumatic symptoms among therapists (Dekel, Ginzburg, & Hantman, 2004;Kassam-Adams, 1995).…”

What Individual Counselors Can Do to Sustain Wellness

“…counselors whose work setting does not offer quality clinical supervision may want to consider finding a skilled supervisor outside their workplace-someone whom they respect and can offer an alternative lens through which to view clients and the work. it is also important that the supervisor is knowledgeable about vicarious traumatization, supports disclosures regarding the counselor's emotional reactions to the work, and promotes ongoing assessment of counselor self-care as part of the supervision dialogue (Sommer & cox, 2005). When clinical supervision is separate from administrative supervision, it is found to be more helpful and effective (coady, Kent, & davis, 1990).…”