Student Reactions to the First Supervisory Year: Relationship and Resolutions

Abstract

In this paper the first supervisory year is examined from the standpoint of the student. Intensive, supervised experience had a powerful impact related to the trainee's resolutions in three relationship areas: therapist-stereotype, supervisor, and client. The total impact was positive, involving a progression from greater to lesser anxiety, lesser to greater self-esteem, a peer relationship with the supervisor, and tolerance for client demands. Examples of these experiences are presented The examples bear parallels to descriptions of the therapeutic experience in other contexts in which clients achieve their own agenthood.