Contemporary Trends in Supervision Theory:
A Shift to Relational Theory and Trauma Theory
Dennis Miehls, M.S.W., Ph.D

This lecture describes how relational theories of supervision and one aspect of contemporary trauma theory coalesce to offer a conceptual shift in supervision theory and practices. The lecture gives a brief overview of the concept of parallel process in supervision; then, a critique of this literature questions the universality of parallel processes in supervision. The characteristics of supervision, when framed in relationship theories, are offered. Last, the lecture describes how the understanding of trauma theory's triadic self of victim-victimizer-bystander is a useful construct in understanding impasses in supervisory relationships. Supervisory vignettes are utilized to illustrate the theoretical constructs.