Psychology interns' perceptions of supervisor ethical behavior

Ethical practice is involved throughout the process of clinical supervision, both in respect to ensuring ethical care of clients (who are receiving consultation under the direction of the supervisor) and in the conduct of the supervision itself (Falender & Shafranske, 2004). This study examined ethical adherence by supervisors as perceived by their supervisees and addressed the practice of supervision and supervision as a distinct competency. One hundred and eighty psychology interns completed the Ethical Practices in Supervision Scale, which was developed by this researcher through a modification of instruments used in Ladany and colleagues' study. High frequencies of non-adherence to ethical practices were found to exist in the areas of observation of trainee performance and professional activity, administration of supervisory contracts, confidentiality in supervision, and use of intervention methods by trainees in which the supervisor was not trained. Additionally, respondents acknowledged that ethical non-adherence by their supervisors had effected the supervisory alliance, their trust in their supervisor, willingness to disclose information, motivation to be in the field, and their emotional well-being.