Approaching Conflicts Over Time In Counseling Supervision: Perspectives Of Wise Minority Supervisors

Abstract

Conflicts in the counseling supervision relationship have not been given much consideration in the research literature despite the fact that they occur frequently (Quarto, 2002). The purpose of this study was to explore wise, minority supervisor’s perceptions about their approaches to conflicts in the supervisory relationship, including if and how their approaches have developed over time. Using the following research question as a guide, “What are the lived experiences of wise, minority supervisors’ growth process in approaching conflicts in supervision?” the goal was to gain an in-depth understanding of how wise minority supervisors approach conflicts and how their approach has grown or developed across their career. By examining perceptions related to these factors, supervisors received insight about approaching conflicts in supervision. Due to the lack of research concerning minority supervisor development and supervision conflicts, semi-structured interviews with wise, minority, counseling supervisors were conducted using phenomenological methods of inquiry. Transcripts were analyzed and four core themes were extrapolated from the data and discussed. Recommendations for future counseling supervision research and practice were discussed along with limitations of the study.