SUPERVISION STYLES AND COMMUNICATION PROCESSES FROM SUPERVISORS' PERSPECTIVE

The basic method of the developmental-integrative supervision is a professional dialog requiring developed communication skills of supervisors and supervisees. The paper presents a qualitative research primarily aimed at gaining insight into impressions and ideas of licensed supervisors on the importance of the communication process in supervision. Specific questions were devised to gather information on skills and knowledge supervisors consider necessary for quality supervision work, their interpretation of own communication style in supervision and dilemmas they face during supervision. Eight licensed supervisors with long practical experience participated in the research. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews while qualitative analysis was used in the data processing. The interviewed supervisors described their viewpoints on the importance of the communication process and style in supervision in various modes, simultaneously defining their personal communication styles. Supervisors incorporate in their work a part of their life experience, value system and personal style, and further build on it their education on various psychotherapy approaches or supervisor trainings. By integrating those elements supervisors develop their specific supervisor styles.