Skip to main content
Log in

A Meta-Analysis of the Counseling Literature on Technology-Assisted Distance Supervision

  • ORIGINAL ARTICLE
  • Published:
International Journal for the Advancement of Counselling Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In this meta-analysis, we examined the effect of distance clinical supervision in comparison with traditional face-to-face supervision in conformity with the guidelines offered by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). We analyzed empirical studies (i.e., three journal articles and one dissertation) on clinical supervision published between 2000 and 2018. Analyses determined the overall effect sizes of supervision by format (i.e., distance vs. face-to-face) and compared the effect sizes of distance vs. face-to-face supervision, specifically, by supervisee satisfaction, supervisory alliance, and supervisee competency. Results indicated that the overall effect sizes of supervision, as well as the effect sizes for the three variables, did not significantly differ by format. Implications of non-significant difference in the effect sizes by different formats of clinical supervision (distance vs. face-to-face) are discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • American Counseling Association. (2014). ACA code of ethics. Alexandria: Author.

    Google Scholar 

  • Arcinue, F. A. (2002). The development and validation of the Group Supervision Scale (Doctoral dissertation). Available from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global database.

  • Association for Counselor Education and Supervision. (2011). ACES Best Practices in Clinical Supervision. Retrieved from https://www.apsu.edu/mscounseling/pdfs/ACES_Best_Practices_Supervision.pdf

  • Association for Counselor Education and Supervision, Technology Interest Network. (1999). Technical competencies for counselor education students: Recommended guidelines for program development. Alexandria: Association for Counselor Education and Supervision.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baker, D. E. (1990). The relationship of the supervisory working alliance to supervisor and supervisee narcissism, gender, and theoretical orientation. Dissertation Abstracts International, 51(7–B), 3602–3603.

  • Baltrinic, E. R., O’Hara, C., & Jencius, M. (2016). Technology-assisted supervision and cultural competencies. In T. Rousmaniere & E. Renfro-Michel (Eds.), Using technology to enhance clinical supervision (pp. 47–66). Alexandria: American Counseling Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bacigalupe, G. (2010). Supervision 2.0: E-supervision a decade later. Family Therapy Supervisor Bulletin, 9(1), 38–41.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bahrick, A. S. (1990). Role induction for counselor trainees: Effects on the supervisory working alliance. Dissertation Abstracts International, 51(3–B), 1484.

  • Bernard, J., & Goodyear, R. (2014). Fundamentals of clinical supervision (5th ed.). Upper Saddle River: Pearson Education, Inc..

    Google Scholar 

  • Bordin, E. S. (1979). The generalizability of the psychodynamic concept of the working alliance. Psychotherapy, 16, 252–260.

  • Borenstein, M., Hedges, L., Higgins, J. P., & Rothstein, H. (2009). Introduction to Meta-analysis. West Sussex, UK: John Wiley.

  • Butler, S. K., & Constantine, M. G. (2006). Web-based peer supervision, collective self-esteem and case conceptualization ability in school counselor trainees. Professional School Counseling, 10(2), 146–152.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cannata, E., & Marlowe, D. B. (2017). Building strong clinicians: Education strategies to promote interest and readiness for evidence-based practice. Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Social Services, 98(1), 35–43. https://doi.org/10.1606/1044-3894.2017.7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chapman, R. A. (2006). Cybersupervision of entry level practicum supervisees: The effect on acquisition of counselor competence and confidence (unpublished doctoral dissertation). Raleigh: North Carolina State University Retrieved from http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/resolver/1840.16/5097.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chapman, R. A., Baker, S. B., Nassar-McMillan, S. C., & Gerler, E. R. (2011). Cybersupervision: Further examination of synchronous and asynchronous modalities in counseling practicum supervision. Counselor Education and Supervision, 50(5), 298–313. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1556-6978.2011.tb01917.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen, E. C., & Bernstein, B. L. (2000). Relations of complementarity and supervisory issues to supervisory working alliance: A comparative analysis of two cases. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 47(4), 485–497.

  • Clark, A. T. (2003). An exploration of combined distance and direct supervision experiences. Dissertation Abstracts International, 64.

  • Cohen, J. (1992). A power primer. Psychological Bulletin, 112(1), 155–159.

  • Coker, J. K., Jones, W. P., Staples, P. A., & Harbach, R. L. (2002). Cyber supervision in the first practicum: Implications for research and practice. Guidance and Counselling, 18(1), 33–38.

    Google Scholar 

  • Coker, J. K., & Schooley, A. (2009). Investigating the effectiveness of clinical supervision in a CACREP accredited online counseling program. Paper presented at the meeting of the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision, San Diego, CA. Retrieved from https://www.counseling.org/docs/default-source/vistas/vistas_2012_article_42.pdf?sfvrsn=dbff9031_11

  • Conn, S. R., Roberts, R. L., & Powell, B. M. (2009). Attitudes and satisfaction with a hybrid model of counseling supervision. Journal of Educational Technology & Society, 12(2), 298–306.

    Google Scholar 

  • Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs. (2016). 2016 Standards. Retrieved from: http://www.cacrep.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/2016-Standards-with-Glossary-5.3.2018.pdf

  • Coursol, D. (2004). Cybersupervision: Conducting supervision on the information superhighway. In G. R. Walz & C. E. Kirkman (Eds.), Cyberbytes: Highlighting compelling uses of technology in counseling (pp. 83–85). Greensboro: CAPRS Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Crockett, S., & Hays, D. G. (2015). The influence of supervisor multicultural competence on the supervisory working alliance, supervisee counseling self efficacy, and supervisee satisfaction with supervision: A mediation model. Counselor Education & Supervision, 54, 258–273.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dickens, A. D. H. (2010). Satisfaction of supervisory working alliance: Distance versus face-to-face (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). Regent University, Virginia Beach, VA.

  • Dudding, C., & Justice, L. (2004). A model for e-supervision: Videoconferencing as a clinical training tool. Communication Disorders Quarterly, 25(3), 145–151.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Efstation, J. F., Patton, M. J., & Kardash, C. M. (1990). Measuring the working alliance in counselor supervision. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 37(3), 322–329.

  • Gainor, K. A., & Constantine, M. G. (2002). Multicultural group supervision: A comparison of in-person versus web-based formats. Professional School Counseling, 6(2), 104–111.

  • Hines, P. L. (2002). Student technology competencies for school counseling programs. Journal of Technology in Counseling, 2(2).

  • Ladany, N., Hill, C. E., & Nutt, E. A. (2004). Supervision questionnaire. In J. M. Bernard & R. K. Goodyear (eds.), Fundamentals of clinical supervision (3rd Ed.), Boston: Pearson.

  • Larsen, D. L., Attkisson, C. C., Hargreaves, W. A., & Nguyen, T. D. (1979). Assessment of client/patient satisfaction: development of a general scale. Evaluation and program planning, 2(3), 197–207.

  • Layne, C. M., & Hohenshil, T. H. (2005). High tech counseling: Revisited. Journal of Counseling and Development, 83(2), 222–226. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1556-6678.2005.tb00599.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maples, M., & Han, S. (2008). Cybercounseling in the United States and South Korea: Implications for counseling college students of the millennial generation and the networked generation. Journal of Counseling and Development, 86, 178–183.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McAdams, C. R., & Wyatt, K. L. (2010). The regulation of technology-assisted distance counseling and supervision in the United States: An analysis of current extent, trends, and implications. Counselor Education and Supervision, 49(3), 179–192.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McMahon, M., & Simons, R. (2004). Supervision training for professional counselors: An exploratory study. Counselor Education and Supervision, 43(4), 301–309.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • National Board for Certified Counselors. (2012). Policy regarding the provision of distance professional services. Retrieved from http://www.nbcc.org/Assets/Ethics/internetCounseling.pdf

  • Nelson, J. A., Nichter, M., & Henriksen, R. (2010). On-line supervision and face-to-face supervision in the counseling internship: An exploratory study of similarities and differences. Retrieved from https://www.counseling.org/docs/default-source/vistas/vistas_2010_article_46.pdf?sfvrsn=7

  • Moher, D., Shamseer, L., Clarke, M., Ghersi, D., Liberati, A., Petticrew, M., & Stewart, L. A. (2015). Preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis protocols (PRISMA-P) 2015 statement. Systematic Reviews, 4(1), 1–9.

    Article  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • O’Donovan, A., & Kavanagh, D. J. (2014). Measuring competence in supervisees and supervisors: Satisfaction and related reactions in supervision. In C. Edward Watkins & D. L. Milne (Eds.), The Wiley international handbook of clinical supervision (pp. 458–467). Chichester: Wiley Blackwell.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Olson, M. M., Russell, C. S., & White, M. B. (2001). Technological implications for clinical supervision and practice. The Clinical Supervisor, 20(2), 201–215.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oravec, J. A. (2000). Online counselling and the internet: Perspectives for mental health care supervision and education. Journal of Mental Health, 9(2), 121–135.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Patton, M. J., & Kivlighan Jr, D. M. (1997). Relevance of the supervisory alliance to the counseling alliance and to treatment adherence in counselor training. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 44(1), 108–115.

  • Perry, C. W. (2012). Constructing professional identity in an online graduate clinical training program: Possibilities for online supervision. Journal of Systemic Therapies, 31(3), 53–67. https://doi.org/10.1521/jsyt.2012.31.3.53.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roberts, R. L., Powell, B. M., & Fraker, F. L. (2002). The effect of technologymediated group supervision on attitudes toward use of technology and satisfaction with supervision among school counseling interns. Paper presented at the American Counseling Association Conference, New Orleans, LA.

  • Rousmaniere, T., Abbass, A., & Frederickson, J. (2014). New developments in technology-assisted supervision and training: A practical overview. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 70(11), 1082–1093. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.22129.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rousmaniere, T., & Frederickson, J. (2013). Internet-based one-way mirror supervision for advanced psychotherapy training. The Clinical Supervisor, 32(1), 40–55. https://doi.org/10.1080/07325223.2013.778683.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Twist, M. L. C., Hertlein, K. M., & Haider, A. (2016a). Electronic communication in supervisory relationships: A mixed data survey. Contemporary Family Therapy, 38, 424–433.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tohidian, N. B., & Quek, K. M. (2017). Processes that inform multicultural supervision: A qualitative meta-analysis. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 43(4), 573–590. https://doi.org/10.1111/jmft.12219.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Trolley, B., & Silliker, A. (2005). The use of WebCT in the supervision of counseling interns. Journal of Technology in Counseling, 4(1). Retrieved from http://jtc.colstate.edu/Vol4_1/Trolley/Trolley.htm

  • Twist, M. L. C., Hertlein, K. M., & Haider, A. (2016b). Electronic communication in supervisory relationships: A mixed data survey. Contemporary Family Therapy, 38(4), 424–433. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10591-016-9391-9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vaccaro, N., & Lambie, G. W. (2007). Computer-based counselor-in-training supervision: Ethical and practical implications for counselor educators and supervisors. Counselor Education and Supervision, 47(1), 46–57. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1556-6978.2007.tb00037.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Valentine, J. C., Pigott, T. D., & Rothstein, H. R. (2010). How many studies do you need? A primer on statistical power for meta-analysis. Journal of Educational and Behavioral Statistics, 35(2), 215–247.

  • Williams, L., Johnson, E., & Patterson, J. E. (2013). The appropriate use and misuse of social media in MFT training programs: Problems and prevention. Contemporary Family Therapy: An International Journal, 35(4), 698–712. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10591-013-9256-4.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hongryun Woo.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of Interest

The authors declared that they have no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Publisher’s Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Appendix

Appendix

Table 1 Description of Studies Used in Meta-Analysis
Table 2 Comparisons of Effect Size by Study.
Table 3 Dependent Variable Analysis
Table 4 Dependent Variable Analysis
Fig. 1
figure 1

PRISMA Flow Diagram

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Woo, H., Bang, N.M., Lee, J. et al. A Meta-Analysis of the Counseling Literature on Technology-Assisted Distance Supervision. Int J Adv Counselling 42, 424–438 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10447-020-09410-0

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10447-020-09410-0

Keywords

Navigation