Culturally competent and diversity-sensitive clinical supervision: An international perspective

Abstract

This chapter identifies the essence and significance of cultural competence and sensitivity to diversity in the practice of clinical supervision. It explores and examines how the following five perspectives influence the practice of clinical supervision: (i) political context including the structural differentiation, class differences, and political ideologies of the supervisee and the supervisor; (ii) cultural context, which is related to the values, norms, rituals, and customs of the social environment; (iii) organizational context referring to the occupational hierarchy, use of supervisory authority, and decision-making in the process of clinical supervision; (iv) professional practices involving the clinical expertise, professional roles, staff participation, learning process, and supervisory interaction; and (v) personal characteristics, which includes the personal background and uniqueness of individual supervisees and supervisors (physical characteristics). The guiding principles for conducting cross-cultural supervision in clinical settings are also discussed in the chapter.