“Being part of a community – that has been the good practice ”: A qualitative study of family therapy students’ experiences with live supervision

Live supervision has long been a hallmark of couple and family therapy training and practice. Previous research has highlighted the importance and benefits of live supervision in family therapy training, though some reports have noted negative effects. This study explores family therapy students’ experiences and descriptions of live supervision and its significance for their development as family therapists. Data was collected from four focus groups with a total of nineteen informants, and systematic text condensation was used in the analysis. Themes that were constructed are presented within three dimensions: (1) Frames for practice provide space to train and experiment; (2) Live supervision both elevates and restricts; and (3) The relationship promotes connection and collaboration. The themes are discussed in relation to previous research and theories, and implications for the training of family therapy students and future research are presented.