Relational‐Cultural Supervision: A Humanistic Approach to Promoting Vulnerability and Counselor Development

Abstract

Humanistic counseling and supervision place an emphasis on authenticity and connection, two concepts that relate to vulnerability. Authenticity and vulnerability can lead to growth in the context of the supervisory relationship. Relational-cultural supervision is discussed as a humanistic approach that can be used in promoting vulnerability and counselor development.

Through the relational looking glass: Applications of relational–cultural theory to career development and mental health

“…According to RCT, of utmost importance is the construct of authenticity (Comstock et al., 2008; Singh et al., 2020). Authenticity, according to founding scholar Surrey (1985), involves seeing the other in the relationship as they truly are and how they are perceived by social connections (e.g., friends, family, colleagues) and society. Within all relationships, individuals or groups may face the ongoing challenge to feel connected, vital, and purposeful in relationship, which highlights how authenticity entails an ongoing process.…”

“…Mutuality is further cemented by recognizing the impact on the other individual, growing toward relationships, and acknowledging that all positive and negative interactions will have an impact. Given that both positive and negative interactions impact the relationship and individuals in the relationship, all people constantly contribute to their own individual growth, the growth of another person, and the relationship binding the individuals or groups (Duffey et al, 2016;Stargell et al, 2020).…”

“…Built upon the premise of mutuality, the concept of mutual empathy indicates that interacting with another person heightens the experience of safety (Stargell et al, 2020), infuses contextual factors (Purgason et al, 2016), and requires acknowledgement of the interaction (Flores & Sheely-Moore, 2020; Singh et al, 2020). Mutual empathy, according to Jordan (2000), involves honoring how people impact each other and respecting the experience and perspective of the people contained within relationships.…”

Compassion Fatigue as an Ethical Threat to Practice: Supervisor and Agency Responsibilities in Preventing Worker Burnout

“…A collaborative approach to supervision invariably communicates the expectations of and reinforces trust within the supervisory relationship (Krug & Schneider, 2016), and fosters trust in the supervisee's ability to grow and self-direct (CSAT, 1999;Talley & Jones, 2019). On the other hand, several sources highlighted the fact that though supervision and therapy serve similar purposes in different contexts, the supervisory relationship must avoid crossing this professional boundary of providing therapeutic services (Krug & Schneider, 2016;Stargell et al, 2020;Talley & Jones, 2019). The supervisor must hold space for and support the supervisee, but it is equally important to recognize when the supervisee's concerns overextend the supervisor's scope of practice (Krug & Schneider, 2016).…”

Compassion‐supported development: A humanistic approach to counseling supervision

“…Several prominent theories of counseling and psychotherapy propose the necessity of connection and relationships to growth and development (Stargell et al., 2020). Often, these theories or approaches include certain counselor capabilities.…”