Success Enhancing Supervision

Summary In this paper, the authors posit that therapists (beginning and experienced) have a propensity for being self-deprecating and critical. Following Bandura's (1977, 1986) theory of perceived self-efficacy, when this becomes reinforced by a supervisor, therapists lose their sense of self-efficacy as a therapist, and their competence suffers accordingly. In an effort to foster improved perceived self-efficacy, the authors apply solution-focused and constructive methods of therapy to the context of clinical supervision. Several case illustrations are presented compromising goal construction and the development of the supervisory relationship, co-constructing competence and confidence, circumventing impasses, the role of teaching and education in supervision, and the potential paradox of evaluation.