IJSP Number 6, 2024

40 professional action. The content of this article is based on reflections on supervision from the perspective of a psychotherapist and supervisor, in which the respective identity of the two professional groups is at stake [1]. In the therapeutic field, we distinguish between training and professional supervision. The former is characterized by a "teacher-student-relationship”, where an experienced colleague supports a less experienced colleague in learning the respective therapeutic method, thus also fulfilling some sort of a control function. Professional supervision is primarily about expanding skills in the sense of improving professional tasks with the help of a trained colleague who accompanies reflection processes. The aim of both is the (further) development of one's own professional role and identity. There have been many attempts to define supervision ever since the profession started to claim scientifical legitimization, i.e. to conduct supervision research. I would first like to quote Rappe-Giesenecke (2003), who summarized the format of supervisionvery succinctly, "Supervision is person-related professional counseling for professionals. Its task is to enable individuals, groups or teams of professionals to engage in individual and social self-reflection. The aim of this reflection is to review and optimize professional and methodological actions." 1 [2, p.12; transl. by UW] and also Harald Pühl, who formulated another important aspect of supervisory activity. “The goal is always the expansion or acquisition of competence by the supervisee or the supervisee system (e.g. team, institution). Supervision is therefore clearly part of a pedagogical tradition, as it is about learning. ” 2 [3, p.13; transl. by UW] These quotes emphasize two essential aspects of supervision, the aspect of reflection and the aspect of learning. Supervision has its own identity. It is inevitably a goal-oriented activity, the main activity being a joint reflection of professional activity based on the relationship between supervisor and supervisee. Various levels are reflected upon : counseling skills and abilities, professional 1 Original quote from Kornelia Rappe-Giesenecke:„Supervision ist eine personenbezogene berufliche Beratung von Professionals. Ihre Aufgabe ist es, Einzelne, Gruppen oder Teams von Professionals zu individueller und sozialer Selbstreflexion zu befähigen. Ziel dieser Reflexion ist die Überprüfung und Optimierung des beruflichen und methodischen Handelns.“ 2 Original quote from Harald Pühl: „Ziel ist in jedem Fall die Kompetenzerweiterung bzw. der – erwerb des Supervisanden bzw. des Supervisandensystems (z.B.Team, Institution). Supervision steht somit eindeutig in einer pädagogischen Tradition, da es um Lernen geht.“