Responsibility in Counselling Supervision in New Zealand: An Exploratory Study of Supervisor Perspectives.

Abstract

This study investigated how experienced supervisors understand the matter of supervisor responsibility, and the effects of that understanding for supervision practice. The study was developed as part of the curriculum content of a graduate paper in supervision: one purpose was the professional education of the researchers, while the second was to promote discussion within the local profession about supervision practices, in the absence of a New Zealand literature. Nine experienced supervisors, located throughout New Zealand, were interviewed for the study. Results suggest that while participants were prepared to be accountable and responsible for their own work as supervisors, they differed in respect of their views on supervisors' responsibility for counsellors' practice and for clients. Clear, negotiated agreements were seen to be central to the exercise of responsibility. Ideas about locating responsibility within networks of practice were reflected in supervisors' willingness to supervise new counsellors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of New Zealand Journal of Counselling is the property of New Zealand Association of Counsellors and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)