In the Shadow of Death: Relational Paradigms in Clinical Supervision

The process of clinical supervision is a complex undertaking that is influenced by multiple factors, including the personalities and characteristics of the supervisory dyad, developmental considerations, social attitudes, ecological factors and the parallel process. The supervisory interchange becomes even more difficult and complex when it occurs in the context of HIV and AIDS related practice, which introduces the reality of untimely death accompanied by grief and loss. In this paper, I will review the literature in regards to developmental aspects of the supervisory relationship, transference and countertransference paradigms and the parallel process. These particular issues will be framed within a relational perspective and the ways it shapes the supervisory process. The focus of this paper will be clinical work with clients diagnosed with HIV and AIDS and the impact of death and dying on the supervisory paradigm. The literature review will be elaborated on through a clinical vignette followed by an extended discussion.