Basic Principles of Supervision and Its Ethics in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Abstract

Background

Supervision is the systematic guidance of a therapist by a supervisor. It is a basic part of training and ongoing education in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Self-reflection and ethical reflection are an important part of supervision.

Method

The Pubmed database was searched for articles using the keywords supervision in CBT, therapeutic relations, ethics, transference, counter transference, schema therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy.

Results

We discuss conceptual aspects related to supervision and the role of self-reflection and ethical reflection. The task of supervision is to increase the value of the therapeutic process in the client's best interest. Establishing the supervisor-supervisee relationship is based on principles similar to those in the therapeutic relationship. Additionally, supervision is oriented towards increasing the therapist's competencies. The CBT therapist's core competencies involve good theoretical knowledge, professional behavior towards clients, ability to use specific therapeutic strategies for maintaining the therapeutic relationship, sensitivity to parallel processes and accomplishment of changes, and adherence to ethical norms. Given the fact that during supervision, the supervisee may be at any stage of his/her training, supervision must take into consideration where the therapist is in his/her training and development and what he/she has or has not learnt.

Conclusions

Both the literature and our experience underscore the importance of careful supervision of cognitive behavioral therapy. Numerous approaches are used in supervision, which is associated with the abilities to self-reflect and to realize transference and counter transference mechanisms.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.