Special Section: Supervision Between Rituals: Creativity and the Development of the Reflective Function

Abstract

This article describes the supervision experience of a group-analytic therapy for psychotic patients carried out from 2000 to 2003 at the Mental Health Center of Carpi (Modena, Italy). The experience of supervision is here presented in its main aspects and as a tool to promote the so-called `reflective function' of the `couple supervisor and supervisee'. The `reflective function' is described in its meaning of com-prehension (from the Latin word `com-prehendere': to acquire knowledge and also to `hold into affection'), referring to an ongoing process of mutual exchange and understanding between supervisor and supervisee. Supervision is here considered as a transgenerational transmission, where both supervisor and supervisee participate in an exchange that takes place between transmission of culture and innovations. According to our hypothesis, the reflective function that develops within the supervision process mirrors the reflective function of the therapeutic work and in this context research can play a stimulating role. In this article we consider the supervision process and describe an attempt to combine classical supervision with evaluation work.

Mentalizing Glasses: Multifocal Attention in Mentalization-Based Treatment and the Role of the Supervision

“…We contend that supervision plays a crucial role in the maintaining of the MBT therapist’s mentalizing glasses. The combination of individual and group supervision within the MBT model “allowed the development of a ‘shared reflective function,’ as a joint effort of supervision and evaluation work” ( Brunori et al, 2007 , p. 233). This approach, it can be argued, promotes the therapist’s ability to imagine the internal world of the patient, facilitating the ability to understand behaviors and symptoms in terms of underlying mental states.…”

“…So how can we ensure that the therapist is genuinely mentalizing the family and is able to monitor his/her own failures to mentalize? Many psychotherapy models rely on three main aspects during training, first the direct experience of therapy, second the theoretical principles and foundations, and third supervision ( Brunori et al, 2007 ). Similarly, one essential component of the MBT model is the ensuing bi-weekly or monthly supervision, individually and/or in groups.…”

“…In group supervision, the group dynamics are mentalized as well. This is an essential element of the supervision process as the supervisor’s ability to contain the group facilitates the MBT practitioners’ ability to share the emotions and reflect upon the therapeutic process ( Brunori et al, 2007 ).…”