Building trust: supervisees’ experience of power dynamics in transdisciplinary workplace supervision

Abstract

ABSTRACT The experience of power dynamics for five Irish supervisees attending transdisciplinary workplace supervision was explored through in-depth interviews and analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Three superordinate themes were identified: Struggling to find my place in the organisation; Navigating through vulnerability; and Clicking into relationship. The supervision relationship was a source of both vulnerability and empowerment for supervisees, and it took time to build trust and safety for greater openness. The team and organisational context, and perceived status differences in transdisciplinary supervision, impacted supervisees’ experience of vulnerability and power. This study illuminates the under-researched area of power dynamics within workplace supervision with qualified practitioners.