The Intersection of Personal and Professional Identity

Abstract

This article will examine some of the unique issues and concerns that arise when heterosexual supervisors work with sexual minority supervisees. A brief review of existing literature will provide a glimpse of the guidance provided to clinical supervisors in working with issues of diversity in the supervisory relationship and how it may relate to working with sexual minority supervisees. Methods of working with sexual minority supervisees to balance the intersection of personal and professional identities in order to foster their growth, development, and assimilation into the profession utilizing the supervisor roles of teacher, counselor, consultant, and mentor will be discussed. The role of a clinician's disclosure of sexual minority status and its relationship to his or her professional and personal identity development also will be examined.

Key Words:

• Supervision
• sexual minority
• lesbian and gay
• supervisor roles
• mentorship