Exploitative Need-Fulfillment and the Counseling Intern

This paper addresses the issue of supervision and the relative importance of reviewing the intern's presentation or self. Special reference is made to the area of the psychological needs of the intern. The case is made for the possibility that interns may utilize the counseling relationship in an exploitative manner, and do so without conscious awareness. The sources of exploitative need fulfillment are reviewed. The impact of the counseling interviews/profession upon interns is discussed, with particular reference to the possible cyclical nature of needs being created by counseling ethos and also serving as an environment for satisfying these same needs. Suggestions are made for conducting a self-examination, as well as resolving exploitative need-fulfillment during supervision.