Enhancing Supervision: A Systemic Approach

In the realm of clinical supervision, adopting a systemic lens can significantly elevate the quality of the supervisory process. The Seven-Eyed model, conceived by Hawkins and Shohet in 1985, serves as a robust foundation by integrating relational and systemic dimensions into supervision. This model emphasizes examining the relationships between the client, therapist, and supervisor, offering seven distinct perspectives—often referred to as "eyes." This blog post introduces an approach known as the Systemic Supervision Lens (SSL), which draws inspiration from the Seven-Eyed model. Let's delve into an overview of the Seven-Eyed model and explore how the SSL can be seamlessly incorporated into supervision practices.

The Seven-Eyed Model: A Quick Descriptive Guide

1. Client Focus Eye:

   • Explore the client's experience of the therapeutic process.

2. Strategies Eye:

   • Understand the strategies and interventions chosen by the supervisee and their rationale.

3. Relationship Eye:

   • Analyze the dynamic between the client and therapist, emphasizing the "here-and-now" relationship.

4. Supervisee’s Response Eye:

   • Investigate the supervisee's emotional response to the work, addressing countertransference and its impact.

5. Parallel Process Eye:

   • Examine how the clinical relationship is mirrored in the supervisory relationship.

6. Supervisor’s Response Eye:

   • Evaluate the supervisor's response to the material presented in supervision, considering content and process.

7. Wider System Eye:

   • Consider the broader system, encompassing culture, location, history, and influencing factors.

Applying the Systemic Supervision Lens

How to Use the Framework:

1. Step 1: Background Information

   • Ask the supervisee for context regarding the presenting issue.

   • Inquire about their needs and questions for supervision.

2. Step 2: Exploration Process

   • Engage in an exploratory discussion, utilizing the following lenses:

3 Lenses of Exploration:

a. Client Lens:

• Encourage the supervisee to envision the client's experience and needs.

• Identify actions for behavioral change.

b. Supervisee Lens:

• Consider the relational focus between client and supervisee.

• Assess cognitive, affective, and behavioral responses.

c. Supervisor Lens:

• Adopt a supervisory perspective, contemplating the developmental level of the supervisee.

• Consider therapeutic modalities for intervention.

Reflective Discussion:

• Encourage self-reflection within supervision through exploratory discussions.

• Utilize tools like genograms and ecograms to enrich the narrative.

Transformative Supervision

Key Questions for Transformational Supervision:

• What hypotheses guide formulation about this presentation?

• How do my reactions as a supervisor align with the material presented?

• What interventions or additional information does the supervisee need for effective therapy?

By integrating the SSL into supervision practices, supervisors can facilitate a transformative experience for supervisees, encouraging self-reflection and a deeper understanding of the therapeutic process. This approach not only enhances the quality of supervision but also contributes to meaningful client-centered interventions based on clear assessments and formulations.