Running Head: Group Supervision from a Small Group Perspective

The main objective of this study was to examine a set of independent group variables (group size, gender composition, and supervisory style) in group supervision, and their interrelation with supervisees’ and supervisors’ view on group interactions, group climate, and attained skill. The study also examined changes over time in supervisees’ and supervisors’ ratings of group interactions, group climate, and attained skill. Participants were 105 supervisees and 20 supervisors, who worked in 23 supervision groups on basic and advanced training level. Supervisees’ and supervisors’ experience of group interactions, climate, supervisory style, and attainment of knowledge and skills in the supervision was measured with self-rating scales. Results from hierarchical regression analysis indicate that the group variables measured in this study are interrelated to perceived psychotherapeutic knowledge and skills attainment, group interaction, and group climate. Repeated measures Anova suggested that participants in this study experienced a positive change over time with regard to attainment of knowledge and skills, group interaction, and group climate. Supervisors were more likely to experience a positive change whereas supervisees, and especially supervisees on the basic level, tended to present more stable ratings over time. These data underline the utility and importance of studying group supervision in psychotherapy from a small group perspective.