An autoethnography of broaching in supervision: Joining supervisee and supervisor perspectives on addressing identity, power, and difference

ABSTRACT

Broaching race, ethnicity, and other cultural factors within supervision can spark growth in supervisor and supervisee cultural responsiveness, enhance client care, and strengthen the supervisory relationship. Despite this promise, supervisorsunderutilize broaching. In the current study, we used autoethnography to explore the broaching process, including supervisor hesitation, supervisee expectations for supervision, and the relational and educational functions of broaching in supervision. The narratives of supervisor and supervisee were analyzed alongside empirical and conceptual work on broaching. Considerations for approaching broaching dialogues and implications for supervision practice are described.

KEYWORDS:

• Broaching
• multicultural supervision
• cultural responsiveness
• race

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Kelly M. King

Kelly M. King received her PhD from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro and is an Assistant Professor at North Carolina Central University beginning fall 2018. Kelly’s research centers on cross-cultural counseling skills (e.g., broaching) and activities that spur the development of more culturally responsive counselors. In January 2016 Kelly received the Corey/Ivey Graduate Student Essay Competition grand prize from the American Counseling Association (ACA) for her writing on the new Multicultural and Social Justice Counseling Competencies (MSJCC).

Kirby Jones

Kirby Jones graduated with his MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro. He has provided counseling services in both university and community settings. He is currently a Resident Director in the Office of Student Life at High Point University.