On Being a Supervisee: Creating Learning Partnerships
Carroll, M., Gilbert, M. (2005). On Being a Supervisee: Creating Learning Partnerships. PSYCHOZ Publications. 157 pages. ISBN: 0-958-5796-7-9.
In the opening paragraph of the Introduction the authors clearly state their reason for writing this book: to ‘empower’ supervisees; ‘supervision is for supervisees, not for supervisors’, a fact not always completely understood by those in supervisory positions.
In defining just what they believe a supervisee to be they encompass a fairly broad field, considering a supervisee to be ‘anyone, of any profession, who brings his/her work experience to another in order to learn from it’. In addition to empowering them this focus on the supervisee, according to the authors, will help them to be honest and open about their work and also involve them actively in creating a collaborative learning relationship.
The book is described as a manual by the authors so the somewhat dry text is unsurprising and acceptable; it is divided into three sections with clearly marked topics to allow it to be used in a non-sequential way.
- Section One provides an overview of the supervisory relationship and includes what to look for when choosing a supervisor, roles, contracting and preparation.
- Section Two looks at the developmental stages of learning in supervision: learning how to learn; how to give and receive feedback; realistic self-evaluation; reflection; emotional awareness and dialogue. This section also covers group supervision and how to deal with problems which may arise in the supervision process.
- Section Three is a twelve part appendix consisting of exercises and frameworks which can be used to assist the supervisee during the process.
Each chapter concludes with a ‘Review and Discussion’ panel, containing a list of questions for the reader to consider in the light of the chapter’s content. There are also Case Examples for the reader to consider how they might deal with the issues raised.The book has a useful reference and further reading list.
The manual format of this book makes it easy for the reader to quickly access specific topics; the layout is clean and clear and at just over 150 pages it does not overwhelm the potential reader. The focus on the supervisee rather than the supervisor also provides for some valuable insights into the supervising role for those who offer supervision.
Editor’s Note: ‘Book Reviews’ is a brand new sub-category of ‘Professional Development’. This section will review popular counselling, psychology and mental health books - comprising both national and international publications. Each review will also be available for direct access under the new ‘Book Reviews’ link category, at the right-side column of this Blog.
Notice to Authors: If you have a suggestion for a book review or would like to have your own published book reviewed by our team, email blog@aipc.net.au and we will provide further information. Your book could be featured in this section and publicized (at no cost) to thousands of industry members!