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‘I wouldn't dream of ending with a client in the way he did to me’: An exploration of supervisees’ experiences of an unplanned ending to the supervisory relationship
Author(s) -
Dawson Debbie,
Akhurst Jacqui
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
counselling and psychotherapy research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.38
H-Index - 32
eISSN - 1746-1405
pISSN - 1473-3145
DOI - 10.1080/14733145.2013.845235
Subject(s) - nonprobability sampling , psychology , dream , power (physics) , schedule , boundary (topology) , interpretative phenomenological analysis , social psychology , applied psychology , psychotherapist , qualitative research , sociology , management , social science , mathematical analysis , population , physics , demography , mathematics , quantum mechanics , economics
Aim To explore supervisee experiences of unplanned endings to the supervisory relationship, a previously under‐researched aspect of counselling and psychotherapy. Method Interviews were conducted with five counsellors identified through purposive sampling; all had experienced an unplanned ending to at least one supervisory relationship. A semi‐structured interview schedule was utilised for data collection and Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ( IPA ) was employed for data analysis. Findings Eight emergent themes were identified within four domains: the ending; the existing supervisory relationship; the new supervisory relationship and the legacy of the supervisee experience as a trainee on the supervisory relationship. Boundary issues and power dynamics within the supervisory relationship featured in two domains. The importance of managing a good ending was highlighted and the impact of an abrupt ending was identified. Conclusion Unplanned endings to the supervisory relationship can sometimes be experienced as eliciting feelings such as anger and disbelief, whilst also being an opportunity for professional and personal growth of the supervisee. Supervisors have a responsibility to work ethically with their supervisees. The implications for practice and suggestions for further research are indicated.