Clinical Supervisor Value Conflicts: Low-Frequency, but High-Impact Events

Abstract

Although therapist value conflicts are well-documented in the counseling and psychotherapy literature, only a few researchers have attempted to comprehensively identify the scope of supervisor value conflicts. In this study, 17 clinical supervisors participated in focus groups exploring the types of situations that pose value conflicts, how they affect supervisors, and how they address them. Inductive data analysis yielded seven types of situations that create value conflicts: worldview differences; power differentials; managing disputes; clinical versus administrative roles; individual differences; threatened professional standards; and reconciling supervisee and client welfare. Themes are described, and training, practice, and research recommendations are provided.

KEYWORDS:

• clinical supervision
• supervisor interventions
• supervisor value conflicts