Special Section: Internal and External Boundaries of Supervision

Abstract

This article proposes that supervision is an essential element of psychotherapy education and explains the relationship between internal and external boundaries of supervision. It is important that the boundary between the supervisory and the therapeutic relationship is clear. Each supervisor-supervisee negotiates the intimacy and content of the supervision according to their style and needs; there are clear differences between the tasks of the two relationships. It is important to understand any controversy as to the degree to which the supervision should serve as an exploration of the supervisee's countertransference (internal boundaries) versus conflict inherent in the roles of supervisor in institutes where the supervisor is also the superior or older colleague of the supervisee (external boundaries).