PSYCHOTHERAPY SUPERVISION FACE‐TO‐FACE AND BY VIDEO CONFERENCING: A COMPARATIVE STUDY

Abstract

ABSTRACT A shortage in qualified psychotherapy supervisors in rural Norway motivated a study evaluating the quality of the supervision process when supervisors and trainees communicated by interactive audiovisual videoconferencing (VC). Six trainee and supervisor pairs participated in five alternating VC based and face‐to‐face sessions. The pairs had previously established a good face‐to‐face relationship. Self‐report data of the quality of communication, the alliance and disturbing elements in the supervision sessions were collected from specially designed questionnaires completed after each session. Independent ratings of the videotaped sessions and qualitative interviews conducted at the end of the study were also conducted. The only significant difference between the two conditions was that trainees scored higher on disturbing factors under VC conditions. Recommendations for use of VC are provided in light of the findings.