Supervision in Positive Psychotherapy

Abstract

This chapter describes supervision in the method of positive psychotherapy (PPT), as semi-structured, with a constant sequence of stages within a five-step strategy and different content of each, depending on the proposed case, the request of the supervisee, the supervisory relationships, etc. Supervision in PPT is appropriate, both for trainees and for clinical supervision of professional practitioners who have completed their education. It can be defined as competency-based supervision, based on the development of therapeutic competences, including those formed through primary and secondary relevant actual capabilities. Supervision in PPT relies on a specific supervisory relationship (alliance) between the supervisor and the supervisee. This relationship is considered crucial for the development of professional qualities in the supervisee, not only because they shape his/her ability to rationally comprehend and conceptualize the problem while working through difficulties and problems. The supervisee discovers resources and strengths and internalizes qualities of the supervisor (actual capabilities), which he/she can further apply and improve the quality of his/her professional competencies and benefit patients. An important aspect of PPT is a transcultural approach based on the capability to recognize and accept distinct cultural norms and traditions as valuable. It means the capability to realize the relative value of one’s own cultural norms and to be able to proceed in the evaluation and the emotional response from understanding and accepting values and norms in the context of other cultures. All participants of the supervisory process: the patient within his clinical situation, the supervisee with his difficulties and countertransference experiences, and the supervisor with his experience manifested during the supervisory process, are in focus.