Gender Discourse Patterns in the Supervisory Relationshi

With the expanding diversity of the United States, there is an increased likelihood of opportunities for supervisors to oversee clinicians that come from diverse backgrounds. This diversity can be based on gender. It is essential to examine the supervisory relationship when there is diversity in gender. By doing so, better practices can be established between the supervisor and supervisee, which creates a better relationship and increased learning opportunities for the supervisee. The improved learning on the part of the supervisee can improve client therapeutic outcomes. Interactions that occur between supervisors and supervisees in a supervisory relationship were examined. The following question was examined in this research.;What interaction features are evidenced between supervisors and supervisees who differ in gender?;The research methodology that was used for this study was a descriptive qualitative approach that included an inductive and deductive component to data analysis. A qualitative content analysis approach to data analysis was also used within this study. Qualitative content analysis is flexible in that it uses both inductive and deductive approaches to data analysis (Elo & Kyngas, 2008). In the inductive approach to data analysis, codes, categories, or themes were developed through the data. In the deductive approach, preconceived codes or categories were derived from previous research. For this study, a modified version of the Blumberg Interaction Analysis System (BIA) was used for the developed codes and categories in the deductive analysis. Within this approach, the Symbolic Interactionism theory was the lens to view the data. The supervisor and supervisees were selected using the criteria of intensity to allow the data to be information rich (Miles & Huberman, 1994). The supervisors were selected from universities and school systems in the southeastern United States. All participants were paired in the same setting -- that is, the supervisor and the supervisee are in a paired relationship within the same university setting or school system and vary according to gender.;It is essential to examine the supervisory relationship when there is diversity in gender. By doing so, better practices can be established between the supervisor and supervisee, which then creates a better relationship. The improved relationship allows for more learning on the part of the supervisee, which can improve therapeutic outcomes. Interactions that occur between participants in a supervisory relationship were examined. The findings revealed that male and female supervisors speak more than supervisees, and female supervisees speak more than male supervisees. Male supervisors gave more directives than female supervisors. When the male supervisors gave directives, it was only to male supervisees. This is to be expected, because males tend to be more direct with their suggestions for improvements than do females. Male supervisors asked for opinions more than female supervisors. Those meetings with female supervisors tended to be more relaxed with free-flowing conversation than those meetings lead by male supervisors. Female supervisors tend to be more nurturing in their interactions with their supervisees. They are more likely to establish a relationship by first engaging in social exchanges and have more comfortable and productive conversations. They also gave more support and empathy than male supervisors when speaking with supervisees. Strong supervisory relationships allow for the supervisee to have a voice in the learning process. Supervisees can feel empowered to express opinions and ask questions, which can allow for a deeper dialogue. Supervisees learn more when they feel free to interact with the supervisor and are comfortable in the relationship. Because the findings show that female supervisees tend to have a more diminished voice in the supervisory relationship than male supervisees, it is important that supervisors establish an environment where the supervisee can feel valued.