Influence of the Supervisory Working Alliance on Supervisee Work Satisfaction and Work-Related Stress

Abstract

This article presents an empirical study that identified agency supervisees' perceptions of clinical supervision and its influence on work satisfaction and work-related stress in professional settings. Because there is a paucity of literature addressing supervision of professional counselors, there is a need to better understand what influence supervision has beyond academic settings. Participants were 71 members of the American Mental Health Counseling Association who were selected using a criterion-based random sample methodology. The methodology pulls together a unique combination of variables and instruments for exploration with professional mental health counselors. Results revealed relationships between work setting, supervisees' perceptions of the supervisory working alliance, work satisfaction, and work-related stress variables. Implications for practice, training, and research are discussed.