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Clinical Supervision Handbook - CAMH Knowledge Exchange ...

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ecognized the limitations of his professional involvement and<br />

more clearly understood what could realistically be achieved with<br />

this couple during a brief inpatient stay.<br />

Authority and dependency issues are frequently at the root of parallel processes<br />

(Grey & Fiscalini, 1987). If the clinical supervisor and clinician don’t explore<br />

motivations for engaging in this process, they may get stuck in a series of transferencecountertransference<br />

interactions. Grey and Fiscalini (1987) state that this is avoided<br />

if the clinical supervisor empathizes with the clinician, but does not get stuck in<br />

the empathic process. The clinical supervisor is able to see the client and clinician’s<br />

perspectives, and differentiate them from his or her own. The supervisor is then able<br />

to clarify the transference-countertransference interplay occurring. However, if the<br />

clinical supervisor does get caught up in a parallel process, he or she can use his or<br />

her own emotional response to explain the anxiety in the clinician-client dyad and,<br />

additionally, the anxiety in the supervisor-clinician dyad.<br />

Exploring transference, countertransference and parallel process as they emerge<br />

within the supervisory relationship and clinician-client dyad ultimately illuminates<br />

a deeper, more meaningful understanding of the client.<br />

Conclusion<br />

Ongoing <strong>Clinical</strong> <strong>Supervision</strong><br />

Individual clinical supervision, when conducted in the context of a supportive, trusting<br />

relationship, is a vital process that contributes significantly to quality client care.<br />

As the clinician’s capacity to engage in reflective practice grows, so too does his or<br />

her ability to establish therapeutic relationships with clients. The supervisory process<br />

is a journey that clinical supervisor and clinician embark on together. It is a journey<br />

that in so many ways models the clinician-client relationship by introducing experientially<br />

concepts critical to the development of healthy and therapeutic relationships<br />

with clients such as empowerment, empathy, trust and boundaries. The supervisory<br />

process and the client are better understood through discussions of transference,<br />

countertransference and parallel process as they emerge along the way. While taking<br />

time out of one’s busy schedule to participate in or conduct clinical supervision<br />

may at times seem challenging, this is time well spent, particularly when one sees<br />

the positive outcomes for clients, the therapeutic impasses that are overcome, and<br />

the boundary transgressions that are avoided.<br />

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