An Exploration of Supervision Delivered via Clinical Video Telehealth (CVT)

A growing literature base supports the use of telemental health (TMH) as an effective platform for psychological interventions; however, the literature examining the use of telesupervision is limited. Mirroring TMH, telesupervision is potentially advantageous and may offer benefits above and beyond in-person supervision to include increased accessibility of training, reduced cost for travel and improved flexibility of scheduling, and increased access for peer consultation. These benefits may contribute to greater diversity of training and supervision experiences for trainees as well. In this evidence-based practice project, former psychology trainees (N = 12) at 1 Veterans Affairs Health Care System (VA) site were invited to complete an anonymous online questionnaire regarding their supervision experiences utilizing both quantitative and qualitative items to explore trainee perceptions of telesupervision implementation, satisfaction, and efficacy. Both the qualitative and quantitative data suggest equivalence between the telesupervision and in-person supervision experiences with regard to rapport with supervisors and focus on clinical goals and tasks. The qualitative data provide additional insight into the trainee perspective on the benefits related to engaging in telesupervision, challenges related to engaging in telesupervision, and components of successful telesupervision. Telesupervision has the potential to contribute to the sustainability of rural health training programs, to increase access to needed mental health care in geographical areas of mental health shortage, and to allow trainees to receive supervision from supervisors who are culturally competent and expert in providing care to diverse patient populations. This article offers suggestions for optimal practice of telesupervision and discusses implications for training programs going forward. Public Significance Statement Telesupervision is a viable alternative to in-person supervision and offers benefits that could potentially enhance training opportunities, including increased accessibility of training, reduced cost for travel and improved flexibility of scheduling, and increased access for peer consultation. These benefits could contribute to greater diversity of training and supervision experiences for trainees as well as further enhance provision of training within rural settings. This article offers suggestions for optimal practice of telesupervision and discusses implications for training programs going forward.