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Clinical Supervision Handbook
Parallel process refers to changes in the supervisor-clinician relationship that relate
to dynamics in the clinician-client relationship; in other words, it involves a series
of transference-countertransference interactions. The supervisor needs to be alert to
changes in the clinician’s mood or behaviour, as well as feelings within him- or herself.
Such changes may indicate that a parallel process is taking place (Gallop, 2004).
Grey and Fiscalini (1987) note that the motivation for the clinician engaged in parallel
process with the clinical supervisor is that by acting like his client he is trying to
communicate information not consciously accessible, or that he is trying to see how
the clinical supervisor would handle the situation.
An example is described in the following vignette.
CASE EXAMPLE: TRANSFERENCE AND
COUNTERTRANSFERENCE
A social worker was involved with a client on an inpatient unit,
and his wife. He described to the clinical supervisor the conflict
this couple was experiencing and the events that led up to a
restraining order being issued by the court prohibiting the husband
from having any contact with his wife. This followed a physical
assault by the husband. The social worker described his experience
of working with this client and the couple. The husband
and wife, although physically apart, continued to communicate
indirectly through the social worker. He found himself in the role
of intermediary between the wife and the husband. As the social
worker described the relationship and his involvement as an
intermediary, the supervisor began to find it difficult to follow.
She had to frequently seek clarification from the social worker as
his communication became increasingly convoluted and she
becoame increasingly confused. She shared her confusion with
the clinician and asked if this was how he was feeling in his work
with this couple.
This led to a discussion of the social worker’s role with this couple,
including the boundaries of his role, and the couple’s conflict,
ambivalent feelings and hidden agenda that seemed to be getting
played out through the social worker. Afterward, the clinician felt
less burdened and was able to focus more clearly on the boundaries
of his role with this couple and set clear limits. He also
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