Establishing and Navigating Relationships in Online Supervision

This chapter explores the common elements of the supervisory relationship, technological means of communication, and the integration of technology in supervisory relationships. It focuses on how language, power, and technical mediums may both facilitate and inhibit the development of a working supervisor-supervisee relationship. Cultural, geographic, and ethical circumstances are also explored in light of relational dynamics and communication styles and patterns. The chapter also provides supervisors with tools to conceptualize relationships with supervisees in virtual contexts and outlines the ways in which online supervision can be an effective and productive endeavor. In the supervision practices, the authors find that relational-cultural theory (RCT) is a progressive and relevant approach to conceptualizing supervision. Using RCT as a foundational theory, they created an integrated counseling and supervision model called developmental relational counseling (DRC) and supervision. Distance supervision can bring supervisors into the counseling room with minimal interruption and allow for in vivo feedback.