Panel Discussion 13 - The Role of Clinical Supervisors in Protecting Doctoral Trainees of Color

Providing multicultural training and supervision is an ethical imperative as identified by the APA. Yet, in a 2020 investigation of student perceptions of multicultural training, underrepresented students were 3 times more likely (than majority students) to report "faculty and clinical supervisors needed to be trained, supported, and evaluated in multicultural competence and sensitivity" (Gregus et al., 2020, pg. 301). Further, power imbalances are inherent in supervisory relationships given the evaluative role of supervisors. That imbalance can be further amplified by racial dynamics between white supervisors and doctoral trainees of color (TOC). TOC often find themselves being the “only one” in predominantly white clinical settings, and experience an extra burden of being exposed to racial stressors, such as microaggressions and discrimination from their clients, peers, and supervisors (Miller & Orsillo, 2020). Further, TOC may not feel safe bringing up their experiences and concerns if their supervisor is either from a different racial/ethnic background or if the supervisor is the perpetrator themselves. Not only does this harm the supervisory relationship and client care, but it also can impact the TOC’s growth as a therapist (Jang et al., 2020).
As such, this proposed panel will offer a specific focus on the supervisory relationship on creating more inclusive, equitable, and culturally responsive clinical training environments for TOC. Importantly, the panel will build upon conversations from previous ABCT panels (Miller et al., 2021) in our life-long learning of culturally humble clinical practice. Panelists from various career levels (e.g., trainees, faculty) will discuss the importance of relational safety, effective multicultural supervision skills, and recommendations for ensuring the safety of TOC. Panelists will share how doctoral programs and training sites can protect TOC by (1) sharing their experiences as TOC or supervisors working with TOC, and (2) discussing individual and programmatic changes training clinics can make to better support TOC. Panelists will also answer questions and comments from the audience to foster a collaborative discussion on how audience members can address these challenges.