Exploring counselor candidates' perspectives on online and face-to-face supervision in individual counseling practice: a comparative qualitative study

Abstract

The primary purpose of the present study was to explain the differences between online and face-to-face supervision and explore their benefits, challenges, and potential impact on supervisees' outcomes from counselor candidates' perspectives. The present study used a phenomenological pattern and the qualitative research paradigm. The research participants were counselor candidates for a state university's guidance and psychological counseling program. The study group comprised 24 participants, 20 females and 4 males, aged between 19 and 25. The findings were grouped into four themes: counseling process, supervision process, challenges and limitations, and peer opinions. Sub-themes around the four themes were evaluated, and suggestions for the literature and researchers were provided.