Supervisees' Perceptions of Their Clinical Supervision: A Study of the Dual Role of Clinical and Administrative Supervisor

Abstract

A study of 158 postdegree counselor supervisees showed that 49% had a clinical supervisor who was also their administrative supervisor. Supervisees reported overall satisfaction with clinical supervision, with no statistically significant differences between those whose supervisor served in both clinical and administrative roles and those receiving supervision from only a clinical supervisor. Furthermore, the majority of supervisees receiving clinical and administrative supervision from the same person did not view this dual supervisory role as problematic (82% of n = 70), and 72.5% reported specific benefits. Implications for research and practice are provided, with attention given to ethical considerations.Data show that approximately one half of practicing counselors received their clinical supervision from persons who were also their administrative supervisors (e.g.

The Compatibility of Administrative and Educative Supervison

“…MCFD is an example of a large, bureaucratic, human service organization providing social services. Research indicates that the internal clients of human service organizations receive supervision that is dependent on several factors: the mandate of the agency, the level of bureaucracy in the organization, the supervisor's skills, abilities, and personal style of supervision (Kadushin, 1992;Tromski-Klingshirn & Davis, 2007;Tsui, 2005). These factors interplay with the compatibility and effectiveness of the administrative and educational functions of supervision.…”

“…Some academics suggest that the two functions are compatible and can be used together by the same supervisor (Crea, 2010;Greenspan et al 1994;Rauktis & Koeske, 1994;Tromski-Klingshirn & Davis, 2007). Others state that the two functions are not always mutually beneficial and may be better facilitated through a division of tasks to more than one…”

“…However, there seems to be little time allowed for focusing on the educative side of supervision, and no money or time spent on the actual environment (Erera & Lazar, 1994a;Noble & Irwin, 2009;Tromski-Klingshirn & Davis, 2007;Tsui, 2005;Zapf, 2009). I have rarely heard any discussion from a supervisor about the importance of the actual physical environment which one works in (Itzhaky, 2001;Tsui, 2005, Zapf, 2009).…”

“…Supervisors are the integral link between practitioners, bodies of social work knowledge, organizations, and external clients (Kadushin, 1992;Tromski-Klingshirn & Davis, 2007;Tsui, 2005). The link signifies the transfer of professional knowledge from the profession to the employee through the supervisor, and from academia through the employee to the supervisor.…”

“…Thus, with the supervisor being the gate which information passes back and forth to the organization, it is important to build a culture of communication and openness. In many organizations, one will find that social work supervisors run into difficulties trying to communicate with the organization or their employees (Kadushin, 1992;Tromski-Klingshirn & Davis, 2007) just spend six years in university to learn a bunch of stuff that I would never use? Upon reflection, I see that my supervisor was using shaming to start the indoctrination process of the organization.…”