Psychologists' experiences of video-based supervision: A qualitative study

Background: In recent years, supervision based on video recordings of supervisees’ therapy sessions has received increased attention, but our empirical knowledge about how psychologists experience this form of supervision is sparse. Objective: To explore psychologists’ experiences of professional and personal development in video-based supervision. Method: We conducted semi-structured interviews with nine therapists who had recently received video-based supervision. Transcripts were analyzed using hermeneutical-phenomenological thematic analysis. Results: We identified three themes: (1) A more vulne-rable experience in supervision, (2) “What we need to see to become better therapists”, and (3) “It makes me more secure as a therapist and as a person”. Conclusion: Psychologists feel more exposed and vulnerable in video-based supervision but also find it more useful for improving therapeutic skills and facilitating personal development. It is important for supervisors to be aware of specific challenges related to performance anxiety and learning in video-based supervision.¬¬ Keywords: Video-based supervision, psychotherapy training, deliberate practice, technology in training, performance anxiety