Racial and Ethnic Minority Supervisees’ Experiences in Clinical Supervision

Clinical supervision practices, although essential to counselor development, often reflect limited cultural competence among supervisors contributes to unclear expectations, conflicting roles, and isolation, leading to stress, negative internalization, and compromised professional development. The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of racial and ethnic minority supervisees in clinical supervision within the mental health counseling profession. The research question was: What are the lived experiences of racial and ethnic minority supervisees who have been involved in clinical supervision? The framework guiding the study was hermeneutic phenomenology. Data from interviews with eight participants were analyzed using the hermeneutic circle. Nine themes emerged, including cultural bias and neglect, ethical concerns, stress, nondisclosure, hierarchical power dynamics, and the positive influence of cultural humility, sensitivity, and collaboration. Findings may inform more culturally responsive and effective supervisory practices for diverse populations.