Training With O (Observing) and T (Treatment) Teams in Live Supervision: Reflections in the Looking Glass*

Abstract

Working with a treatment and observing team at the same time, behind the oneway mirror, offers a variety of ways to: (a) generate multiple realities; (b) work with two different models of family therapy simultaneously; and (c) provide feedback on the teams' own roles, rules and group process. The process that 6 trainees and two supervisors used with T and O teams to examine their own coevolution as a therapeutic system using the Milan model of family therapy and Ericksonian hypnotherapy is described. The article concludes with a discussion of the advantages and pitfalls of this type of dual supervision.

“THE FLY ON THE WALL” REFLECTING TEAM SUPERVISION*1

“…A variation on the Milan model is one in which two supervisory teams utilizing separate models work with families in a parallel fashion. This model incorporates Milan Systemic with Ericksonian hypnotherapy (Roberts, Matthews, Bodin, Cohen, Lewandowski, NOVO, Pumilia & Willis, 1989) supervision. The model also explores and compares the different perspectives of the two models and the two teams.…”

Towards Multi-positioned Live Supervision in Family Therapy: Combining Treatment and Observation Teams with First- and Second-order Perspectives

“…This may, for example, lead to the identification of isomorphic processes occurring between the family members and the T team, with the team's dynamics resembling those of the family. As Roberts et al (1989) caution, the use of the O team in this way is more appropriate towards the later stages of training in order to avoid any sense of critique or competition between the teams.…”

“…Both teams utilised the Milan approach to therapy and the experience of having two teams was seen as providing a useful exercise in double description. Roberts et al (1989), however, developed the distinction between the T and O teams in more elaborate ways, including a deliberate emphasis on using the two teams to differentiate and potentially integrate two distinct therapy models (the Milan model and the Ericksonian model), which they viewed as having complementary strengths and weaknesses. Similarly, from our perspective, the creative use of T and O teams suited the aim of differentiating and potentially integrating first-and second-order perspectives.…”

“…The final component of our approach came from a perusal of the live supervision literature, and especially the novel use of separate T and O teams described by Roberts et al (1989). These authors credit the first use of separate teams to the Milan Centre members Boscolo and Cecchin (1982), who decided to use two teams behind the one-way mirror when they had too many trainees for one team.…”

“…Drawing on the literature of therapeutic teams and live supervision, there are two key features. The first involves the use of two teams for each supervisory session: a T (treatment) team and an O (observation) team (Roberts et al 1989). The second involves specifying the therapeutic position of each team so as to provide a contrast between different theoretical perspectives.…”