Perceptions of the Supervisory Relationship: A Preliminary Qualitative Study of Recovering and Nonrecovering Substance Abuse Counselors

Interviews with a sample ( N = 5) of substance abuse counselors were conducted concerning perceptions of their relationship with their clinical supervisors. The interview protocol was developed from four existing supervision relationship inventories, with an additional group of questions concerning satisfaction with supervision. Significant themes were determined from the examination of interview data. In addition, the supervisory relationship responses were compared to responses about supervisee satisfaction with supervision. Salient themes also were compared based upon counselor and supervisor substance abuse recovery status. The significance of recovery within the supervisory relationship is discussed as well.