Abstract
Clinical supervision is a very important component of psychiatric training. For the trainee, formal supervision process presents an opportunity to develop an understanding of psychopathology and the theoretical underpinnings of therapeutic interventions in addition to the acquisition of clinical skills. During this time the supervisor acts as a clinical role model, teacher and examiner, administrator and often the trainee's manager within the mental health service. The supervisor also models for the trainee the personalsocial components of clinical practice, such as professional and ethical standards of conduct and the management of work-related tensions.