A descriptive phenomenological psychological study of supervisee inauthenticity in clinical supervision

Authenticity has been linked to healthy psychological functioning, subjective well-being, and self-esteem in various studies. Indeed, being authentic is seen as an indication of self-coherence and self-integration. Its value for mental health and well-being has been underscored by stalwarts in the field. Given the importance of being authentic the repercussions and implications of inauthenticity bear exploration. However, research exploring the lived experience of inauthenticity in the field of mental health has been scarce, and especially so in psychotherapy and counselling. This paucity is even more pronounced in clinical supervision, which is crucial to the integrity of the profession itself. A review of organisational and practice literature as well as the current conceptualisation of the supervisee in scholarly literature reveals significant potential for being inauthentic. However, this has not been acknowledged or addressed. The present study is located in this significant gap in research. In this study the phenomenon of inauthenticity as experienced by supervisees in supervisor/counsellor engagements is explored and described using Giorgi's descriptive phenomenological psychological method. Fifteen purposively sampled participants provided the raw data via in-depth interviews. Participants were counsellors and supervisors registered with the Australian Counselling Association. The study revealed the eidetic structure of the phenomenon of inauthenticity as experienced by supervisees in supervision as having nine invariant constituents. 1) Experience of shock and dismay at the detrimental quality of engagement; 2) Experience of loss of expectations; 3) Entering indeterminate zone of uncertainty, incomprehension, and discontent; 4) Experience of frustration, loss of autonomy, and disconnection from self; 5) Experience of somatic presentations; 6) Remaining unheard and giving in to unilateral direction of supervision; 7) Submitting to pressure and actively hiding true self; 8) Non-disclosure due to fear of consequences; and 9) Participation becoming minimal and perfunctory. Based on the findings of the study, the general psychological structure of the phenomenon of supervisee inauthenticity in clinical supervision is then described as an attempt to be safe in a supervisory relationship in the face of perceived detriment and hurdles to desired outcome. This is done without resorting to active interventions, in a silent, subversive manner that remains invisible and has no external indication that would alert the other to what is happening, while appearing passive and compliant. It is characterised overall by intense personal distress that remains camouflaged under non-retaliatory behaviour. Stated even more briefly, it is the emotional equivalent of a painful shoe-bite hidden away inside designer footwear that will, while on a walking trip, remain undisclosed. Everything appears as it should be externally and there is no untoward sign as to the distressing inner reality. In addition to the psychological structure of the phenomenon, a supervisory model conceptualised on the Authentic Self - namely congruent inner core, outer layer, and external environment or engaging other - was also articulated. This model draws on discrete theoretical perspectives as well as the findings of this study to explicate a supervisory alliance that is fundamentally authentic. The study also revealed some anomalies prevalent in the supervisory process and recommends ways these can be addressed. In conclusion, the findings from this thesis create awareness and add to empirical data on inauthenticity in supervisorial engagements in the field of mental health, and will prove useful to supervisors, counsellors, policy makers, academic course planners, and professional accreditation bodies in understanding and overcoming issues in clinical supervision. Additionally, it will help establish clinical supervision as a theoretically founded topic well-worth further in-depth exploration.