Supervision zwischen Differenz und Triangulierung

The author outlines some aspects helpful for a better understanding of supervision processes, which focus on difference, e.g. between perspectives of the analyst and the supervisor and take place in a triadic setting. Based on his experience he assumes that this triangulation allows for a differentiation high enough to effectively work on the treatment deliverer’s countertransference. In order to shed some light on this assumption the term “difference” as well as the history of the terms “difference” and “differentiation” are discussed. Furthermore, the concept of early triangulation as understood in developmental psychology is introduced and applied to the process of supervision. An exemplary report of a supervision session with a psychoanalyst in training follows which is intended to underline how supervisory work on countertransference processes within the framework of difference and triangulation can benefit the patient.