Technological Implications for Clinical Supervision and Practice

Abstract

This paper will review and describe the use of 'virtual' (i.e., persons interacting in different geographic locations) technologies in clinical supervision. First, a rationale for using such technologies as a tool for doing clinical supervision will be presented. Second, a review and description of available technological resources will be offered. These include: e-mail, computer-mediated communication (CMC), videoconferencing (VC), Internet or World Wide Web, and WebTV. Third, some of the settings that have utilized such technological resources in conducting clinical supervision (i.e., psychiatry, medicine, education) and therapy will be reviewed. Ethical issues in using these technologies and implications for supervision will be explored.

A Discourse Analysis of School Counseling Supervisory E‐Mail

“…Counselor education programs are increasingly integrating the use of computer technology into the training and supervision of students (Butler & Constantine, 2006;Woodside, Ziegler, & Paulus, 2009 Counseling and Human Services, Syracuse University, 259 Huntington Hall, Syracuse, NY 13244 (e-mail: mmluke@syr.edu). Reflecting this trend, the focus of professional literature related to computer-mediated supervision has moved from a discussion of associated ethical risk (Kanz, 2001;Olson, Russell, & White, 2001) to encouraging critical dialogue about such supervisory practices (Berger, 2008;Watson, 2003;Wilczenski & Coomey, 2006). Although scholars have yet to explore the prevalence or effectiveness of e-mail supervision in a systematic manner (Clingerman & Bernard, 2004), identified benefits have included increased supervisee perception of accessibility and support of supervisor (Graf & Stebnicki, 2002;Myrick & Sabella, 1995;Stebnicki & Glover, 2001), supervisee openness to and engagement with supervision (Coker, Jones, Staples, & Harbach, 2002;Conn, Roberts, & Powell, 2009;Cummings, 2002), as well as an increased sense of professional belonging and case conceptualization skill (Butler & Constantine, 2006;Woodside et al, 2009).…”

An Investigation of the Use of E‐Mail as a Supplemental Modality for Clinical Supervision

“…Much of the professional literature addressing e-mail and clinical supervision is focused on concerns regarding the perceived inherent ethical risks of this method (e.g., Janoff & Schoenholtz-Read, 1999;Kanz, 2001;Olson, Russell. & White.…”

Telesupervision: Building bridges in a digital era

“…As such, much attention has been given to a face‐to‐face format of supervision where supervisees and supervisors meet in person for clinical guidance (Perry, ). Although such a format has been traditional used in the provision of clinical supervision, advances in telecommunication and the changing nature of clinical practice have led to greater growth and support for the use of computer‐based technologies in supervision (Olson, Russell, & White, ; Wood, Miller, & Hargrove, ).…”