The foundations of the supervisory relationship and role of affect regulation

Abstract

The supervisory relationship has taken on very different roles over time, with the supervision profession developing in parallel. Even if initially practically excluded, today the supervisory relationship occupies a central role in the supervision process. This article places the understanding of the supervisory relationship in the context of the relational paradigm, which has opened up a space in supervision for an awareness of the importance of every participant`s experience. It also presents the fundamental concepts that have contributed to the development of the relational stance in supervision over the last decades and that constitute the foundations of a quality supervisory relationship. Attention is then turned to attachment theory, which has made an important contribution to the understanding of the supervisory relationship as a space for creating emotional security, in which affect regulation plays an important role. Previous research on affect regulation in supervision is also presented and a summary is given on how regulation through subtle interaction sequences helps to maintain connectedness and growth in the relationship.