Masterclass Topic 1:
Overcoming supervisee resistance: Advanced process skills in supervision

To enhance supervisors understanding about supervisee resistance, and to provide them with tools to manage this. All supervisees have some resistance to supervision, but at times this can be detrimental to effective supervision and consequently to their clients.

Workshop Goals

The workshop will also aim to assist supervisors in reflecting on their own resistance (e.g. to providing constructive, timely feedback) and consider their own role in resistance being a part of the supervisory alliance.

Training techniques that will be used

  • Pre-readings on the topic,
  • Participants will be asked to bring notes or a DVD illustrating a supervisory experience with a resistant supervisee,
  • Drawing on the literature to provide a comprehensive, up to date outline of the most salient issues,
  • Whole group Fishbowl example to demonstrate a) the problems with resistance and b) effective ways to manage,
  • Small group (2 – 3 participants) discussions to explore supervisor issues in relation to supervisee resistance, building on the case example the supervisor had prepared prior to the workshop.
  • Participants will be provided with instructions on methods of providing useful, constructive feedback,
  • Large group debriefing at the end of the workshop.

Evaluation

There will be 2 forms of evaluation: a) evidence that the participant had prepared a supervisee case, including a self-reflection on their own resistance to share with peers; and b) a peer evaluation of participants’ engagement in discussion.

Evidence of preparation can include: copies of case notes, DVD, list of issues would like to discuss. A peer feedback form will be designed in order for supervisors to evaluate a fellow participant.

Learning objectives

  • What is Resistance? Definitions, discussion on defense mechanisms, coping styles, the difference between resistance and reactance,
  • Understanding supervisee resistance: What increases resistance? What decreases resistance?
  • Understanding the role of the supervisor in supervisee resistance.
  • Will explore range of areas including attachment issues, the role of shame, avoiding responsibility, testing behaviours,
  • Signs of supervisee resistance,The consequences of resistance, e.g. supervisee lack of disclosure, risks to clients,
  • The role of the supervisor, including supervisory avoidance, reflection of what types of behaviours increase risk of supervisor’s reactance,
  • Best ways to address resistance, including the importance of the supervisors alliance, working with supervisee emotions, boundary issues in supervision, restorative functions of supervision, working toward genuine collaboration.

Dr Angela Morgan

Angela is a clinical psychologist with over 15 years of experience. She currently operates her own private practice. Angela has lectured in undergraduate and postgraduate programs for Griffith University, Australian Catholic University and University of Southern Queensland since 2007. She has also provided internship and externship supervision, supervision within the clinical registrar program, and consultative supervision within the eating disorder field.

Angela enjoys working with adult clients across a range of issues, with a particular interest in eating disorders and eating-related concerns. She is also an engaging presenter, and has provided professional development training for psychologists and other Allied Health Practitioners in Australia and New Zealand in the areas of eating disorders, mindfulness, working with resistance, and process issues in psychotherapy.
Patrick Jones - Course author