Immediacy in Supervision: Supervisees' Perspectives on Positive and Negative Events

Eight mental health graduate student participants were interviewed regarding their positive and/or negative experiences of immediacy (IM) in supervision. Data were analyzed using consensual qualitative research (CQR). Participants indicated that positive instances of IM in supervision typically occurred in the context of a strong supervision relationship. They were typically preceded by supervisors noticing supervisees struggling clinically; supervisors expressing observations, sharing guidance, or giving feedback; or participants feeling uncomfortable with or criticized by supervisors. These events were typically initiated by supervisors exploring the supervision relationship after noticing something in supervisees, and typically improved the supervision relationship and led to supervisee insight/growth. Negative instances of IM in supervision generally occurred in the context of a tenuous supervision relationship. They were generally preceded by supervisees feeling uncomfortable with or criticized by supervisors, and typically consisted of supervisees initiating an exploration of a strain in the supervision relationship. These events generally impaired the supervision relationship or process. Implications for training, practice, and research are discussed.