Bridging the Science and Practice of Clinical Supervision: Some Discoveries, Some Misconceptions

This article attempts to bridge the science and practice of clinical supervision by summarizing 28 years of research and supervisory experiences. Seven myths about clinical supervision are debunked by empirical data and discoveries: Supervision theory is accurate, supervisees are anxious, recording sessions is in appropriate, supervisors do not need to monitor supervisees' in-session behavior, supervision is about using the right theory or techniques, supervisors are well trained, and supervisors protect supervisees and clients from harm. Suggestions are offered to build a stronger bridge between supervision research and practice. Some dos and don'ts are identified from my experience as a supervision practitioner and researcher.