Examining the impact of COVID-19 on supervisees’ experiences of clinical supervision.

Abstract

The global pandemic, COVID-19, changed the clinical supervision landscape in professional psychology. Supervisees transitioned from in-person supervision, to virtual, or telesupervision, in some cases, with limited preparation. We used a mixed methods approach to evaluate supervisee experiences during the transition to telesupervision precipitated by the global pandemic and to provide a historical record of the impact of the pandemic on clinical training. We also assessed the relationship between the supervisory working alliance and attitudes toward telesupervision. Authors used consensual qualitative research–modified to analyze qualitative data from 324 participants. Data revealed categories of technology, organization and productivity, and communication and connection, as the top three challenges experienced by clinical supervisees. Supervisees reported flexibility and convenience and saving time and money, as the top two benefits of engaging in telesupervision during the pandemic. Quantitative data from 310 participants suggested a moderate, positive, relationship between supervisee perception of the working alliance and attitudes toward telesupervision. Implications for research, practice, and theory are discussed.

Empowerment of Lay Mental Health Workers and Junior Psychologists Online in a Task-Shared, Rural Setting in Kerala, India

“…For instance, in Phase 1, where practical challenges relating to bandwidth and connectivity occurred, here as in other literature the relationship between competence and fears of incompetence added a dimension to connectivity issues that related to interpersonal conflict. 53 , 54 Indeed, such conflict in professional relationships resulting from a negative emotional load in care practitioners has also been identified elsewhere. 54 With these conflicts addressed through building trust and planning of the first phase, the potential of tele-supervision relating to convenience and lack of geographical barriers became more visible.…”

“… 53 , 54 Indeed, such conflict in professional relationships resulting from a negative emotional load in care practitioners has also been identified elsewhere. 54 With these conflicts addressed through building trust and planning of the first phase, the potential of tele-supervision relating to convenience and lack of geographical barriers became more visible. 19 , 55 , 56 Yet the interplay of challenges related to (dis)empowerment continued across the phases in shifting forms.…”

Cultivating support during COVID‐19 through clinical supervision: A discussion article

“…The reality is that for the nursing workforce confronted with clinical priorities and a growing clinical load, there is a tendency to prioritise patient and family welfare over one's own, sacrificing strategies aimed at one's own well‐being such as clinical supervision (Martin & Snowdon, 2020 ). Thus, often when support is needed most it is not sought or not available and recent literature has shown the impact COVID‐19 has had on clinical supervision for healthcare workers and students on placements and the adverse effects on clinical supervision frequency and duration (Martin et al, 2022a , 2022b ; Soheilian et al, 2022 ).…”

Examining perceived levels of stress, burnout, and job satisfaction among play therapists.

“…Access to peer support and supervision has been limited and may have only been available through virtual sessions using technology during this period of data collection. Conditions related to the pandemic have limited RPTs' ability to provide clinical supervision and connect with other professionals, relegating these interactions to virtual sessions as opposed to face-to-face interactions (Soheilian, et al, 2022). These limited supports can certainly influence a young play therapist's ability to feel connected, engage in professional development, and process difficult situations/cases with supervisors.…”