On the Search for Singularity in Supervision

A central role of supervision is to help the supervisee develop the self-as-therapist by internalizing analytic theoretical convictions and clinical practices and creating an individualistic professional identity. Supervisors can help this process by viewing some of the supervisees' narrated therapeutic impasses as manifestations of creative rebellion. This creative rebellion helps them exercise their freedom of choice and become who they are as therapists. The creative rebellion metaphor can sometimes explain disruptions to the therapeutic process without threatening the cohesion of the supervisee's professional self and the integrity of the supervisory process.