Teaching the teachers: a model course for psychodynamic psychotherapy supervisors

There are no standard training programs for teaching psychotherapy supervisors effective, ethical, and legal aspects of supervision. This article describes an eight session training course containing essential information for supervisors.

The literature on psychotherapy supervision was reviewed and an evening seminar series was offered to veteran supervisor. The seminars were then translated into a course for faculty supervisors and trainees interested in becoming supervisors.

Participants completed a postcourse survey and ranked as high the quality and content of the course and course satisfaction on Likert scales. Participants felt well prepared and reported increased confidence in going forward in their supervisory roles.

While current Residency Review Committee guidelines do not define standards for competency in psychotherapy supervision, the authors suggest that a course containing these principles of psychodynamic psychotherapy supervision be a prerequisite for those supervising residents. New and veteran supervisors reported learning essential aspects of supervision unknown before their course enrollment.