On the concealment of the interpersonal therapeutic reality in the course of supervision

This article examines the problem of the concealment of the unique object-relational therapeutic reality from the supervisor. Several structural factors underlying the supervisory encounter, which contribute to the supervisees' resistance to disclose fully the therapeutic reality, are described and discussed. A major proposition of this article is that the negative connotation to this particular type of self-concealment and disguise in the course of supervision is not justified. The supervisors' acceptance and understanding of the phenomenon of concealment of the therapeutic reality as coping mechanisms, which reflect the supervisees' therapeutic personalities, can lead them to a deeper perception of the supervisees' inner reality. Different styles of concealment by supervisees are depicted, and a cautious attempt is made at attributing possible characteristics and difficulties to supervisees who manifest different styles.