Person-centred research supervision:Facilitating encounter with researchers and enquiry

Abstract

AimsDrawing upon Schmid's invitation to develop congruence in practice, training and research within the person-centred approach, this study presents a theoretical model for counselling and psychotherapy research supervision. This is contextualised through the author's early-career academic experiences, particularly a lack of training, literature or guidance in pedagogical frameworks underpinning research supervision for psychotherapists.MethodThis study conceptualises research supervision using person-centred theories, in line with critical realist methodologies. Two case studies are presented in which person-centred research supervision model is implemented.FindingsThemes emerged that corroborated the person-centred research supervision model proposed and its underpinning literature, which had growthful and challenging dimensions. This highlighted the aspects of vulnerability in supervisory relationships, abdicating expertise as research supervisor and integral congruence between researcher and research project.ConclusionThese findings indicate there is merit in further research being conducted evaluating this person-centred research supervision model, in order to further develop or challenge its efficacy in practice