I wrote “COVID and Supervision” two years ago.  It is time to revisit that article and add some other thoughts I’ve had.  Thoughts that derive – I say this humbly – from my own idiographic research (no control groups or other comparison groups, no A-B-A-B design) – simple observations.

I’ll say right off: it is still such a pleasure to contribute to the field, to see not only a new generation of clinicians, but to hear from former supervisees, many now well along in their careers, as they let me know of their successes, occasionally request formal consultation, and take advantage of my offer to discuss a crisis or ethical concern. 

I’ve learned a lot from this extended contact, and it has informed my understanding of what works in supervision.  Do you think I’ve learned about what is less workable?

First of all, my judgment about my practice of virtual supervision is, after two years of practice: Still not as good as live supervision.  Especially group supervision.  Comparing two groups live (who are masked, vaccinated, able to spread out in the room) vs two groups virtual, I know myself to be more at ease, more flexible, spontaneous.  Live, the group members are exchanging looks amongst themselves, they lean forward…I have my white board again.  There is more laughter.  My concentration and flow is not broken by scanning postage card (or stamp!) sized icons, sub-par acoustics, and neck pain (I’ve done my best ergonomically, I swear).

Individual supervision through virtual means also varies.  Sometimes there is no diminishment: an especially happy occasion for the supervisee and myself.  This can be described objectively: the supervisee who is prepared and attends supervision consistently helps our collaboration, keeps the Golden Thread of supervision secure.  Supervisees less prepared, in the virtual sphere, I work harder than when less prepared supervisees met with me live in my consultation room.  Past supervision notes must be consulted, more pre-planning is required, cue the Youtube videos, four clicks to get the screen share up and running, please remember to hit the record button.   

And, please recall, I am doing this “isomorphically” (as family therapists would say) as the supervisee is working with their clients virtually.  In psychodynamic terms (parallel process) “As above, so below,” which means, for the hyper-alert supervisor, my own effort must be consistent, even if frazzled.  Yes, for supervisees, early burnout is a recurring topic since 2020, and the need to provide three helpings of support for every challenge is present in my mind and practice. 

Meanwhile, I am training others to supervise and my personal goal is to graduate ten individuals with the North Carolina Addictions Specialist Practice Board’s Certified Clinical Supervisor credential over the next two years, by March 2024. (Score to date: 2 completions, 1 drop out, 5 in process).

Across North Carolina, across the nation, we are needed.