The Impact of Shame on Supervisee Openness in Psychotherapy Supervision

The impact of shame on supervisee's openness within clinical supervision was investigated, using consensual qualitative research (CQR). Six domains emerged from the data for shame suggesting that most supervisees have experienced shame within current or past supervisory relationships. Shame always occurred in relationship with the supervisor and was mostly perceived as hindering trainees' openness. Disclosure of shame as an active attempt to cope with one's experience had the most positive impact on supervisees' openness.