Plenty of counsellors I work with do their supervision on Zoom or Teams, whether because they’re outside the Sunshine Coast, working around a client diary, or simply prefer it. A fair question is whether you lose anything compared with sitting in the same room. The research gives a cautiously reassuring answer.
What the research says
A 2022 systematic review of telesupervision in psychotherapy found that efficacy, supervisory alliance and satisfaction appeared similar across online and face-to-face supervision. Participants did report some advantages to in-person work, including reduced nonverbal cues online that could affect spontaneity and emotional expression, and some supervisees felt more vulnerable at first, though comfort grew with familiarity with the technology.
An earlier systematic review of telesupervision for health professionals reached a similar, measured conclusion: telesupervision can be a feasible and acceptable form of clinical supervision if set up well, though the authors called for stronger studies to clarify effectiveness.
It’s worth being upfront that both reviews rest on a small number of studies. So the honest summary is: online supervision looks like a sound option, but the evidence isn’t strong enough to claim it’s identical in every respect.
What makes online supervision work well
The 2018 review identified eight themes that contribute to effective, high-quality telesupervision: supervisee characteristics, supervisor characteristics, supervision characteristics, the supervisory relationship, communication strategies, prior face-to-face contact, environmental factors and technological considerations. Translated into practice:
- A private, quiet, interruption-free space — both for confidentiality and so you can talk freely.
- Reliable technology and a backup plan if the connection drops.
- Cameras on where possible, to keep as many nonverbal cues as you can.
- Time at the start to settle in, since the transition into a session is shorter online.
- A clear contract about how sessions run, what happens if technology fails and how confidentiality is protected.
- If it’s practical, some face-to-face contact early on — the review highlighted prior in-person contact as important for building rapport.
Choosing between the two
Online suits counsellors outside the region, those with tight schedules, or anyone who wants to cut travel time. Face-to-face can suit people who value the in-room connection or who find screens draining. Some people mix the two — starting in person, then moving online once rapport is established.
Getting started
I offer supervision in person on the Sunshine Coast and online via Zoom or Teams, for counsellors across Australia and New Zealand. If you’re unsure which suits you, that’s a good question for a first conversation.
You can reach me here, or fill in the supervision enquiry form below.