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Towards Multi-positioned Live Supervision in Family Therapy: Combining Treatment and Observation Teams with First- and Second-order Perspectives

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Abstract

This article describes a process of live supervision that has been designed to encourage trainees to experience competing theoretical perspectives. It involves the use of separate T (treatment) and O (observation) teams who conceptualise the same case from two broadly defined theoretical perspectives, variously called first and second order, modern and postmodern, or family systems and social constructionist. The process requires trainees to adopt multiple positions rather than identify with one perspective, and provides a basis for comparing and potentially integrating them. We provide examples of the approach, discuss important contextual issues for supervisors to consider when implementing it, and examine ways of adapting it to a wide range of training contexts.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Psychology and Counselling, Queensland University of Technology, Beams Rd, Carseldine, Qld, 4034, Australia

    Roger Lowe

  2. Private practitioner and Lecturer, School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia

    Christine Hunt

  3. Director of Training, Relationships Australia, Brisbane, Australia

    Paul Simmons

Authors
  1. Roger Lowe
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  2. Christine Hunt
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  3. Paul Simmons
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Correspondence to Roger Lowe.

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Lowe, R., Hunt, C. & Simmons, P. Towards Multi-positioned Live Supervision in Family Therapy: Combining Treatment and Observation Teams with First- and Second-order Perspectives. Contemp Fam Ther 30, 3–14 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10591-007-9052-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10591-007-9052-0

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