The intersection of identities in supervision for trauma-informed practice: Challenges and strategies

ABSTRACT

This article discusses and illustrates the role and impact of the intersection of supervisors’ and supervisees’ social identities and the associated power and privilege within the context of supervision for trauma-informed practice. Based on current theoretical, empirical, and practice literature, challenges related to the supervisor’s and supervisee’s racial, ethnicity, gender, social class, and additional social affiliations are identified, as are strategies for addressing them within supervision for trauma-informed practice. A case example drawn from the authors’ experiences illustrates the importance of attending to intersectionality in trauma-informed supervision Suggestions for future research efforts are offered.

KEYWORDS:

• Intersection of identities
• supervision
• trauma-informed practice

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Roni Berger

Roni Berger was born and raised in Israel, where she worked in direct practice, academia, and supervisory and administrative positions. Dr. Berger holds a BSW, MSW, and PhD from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem and a Diploma in Psychotherapy from Tel Aviv Medical School. She serves as a Professor at Adelphi University, consults to organizations nationally and internationally, and has earned several awards. She has published and presented extensively internationally and nationally about trauma, posttraumatic growth, immigration, stepfamilies and group work.

Laura Quiros

Professor Laura Quiros’ teaching, scholarship, and service focus on the social construction of racial and ethnic identity, the complexity of social justice, trauma-informed practice/supervision from a social justice lens, inclusion and diversity within organizations and higher education. She coaches executive-level staff in New York City social services organizations and serves as Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Director of the Masters of Social Work Program at Adelphi University School of Social Work.

Jamie R. Benavidez-Hatzis

Jamie R. Benavidez-Hatzis, LCSW, explores and critically examines research on and clinical practices for traumatic reactions in response to traumatic events with sociopolitical influences. She utilizes a feminist approach to identify and address implications for what constitutes evidence of effectiveness of interventions for traumatic reactions to sociopolitical events experienced as traumatic, as well as what constitutes recovery. Jamie is in private practice and serves as the director of a program serving runaway and homeless youths.