Counselor Trainees' Sexual Attraction Toward Their Supervisors

Download or read book Counselor Trainees' Sexual Attraction Toward Their Supervisors written by Deborah S. Melincoff and published by . This book was released on 2001 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Fourteen predoctoral intern trainees were interviewed regarding their sexual attraction toward their supervisors. Qualitative analyses suggested that trainees were typically attracted to supervisors' professional work, personality (e.g., genuineness and humor), physical appearance, intelligence and supervisors' similarities to their past or present partners. Trainees typically indicated that they were having struggles and/or difficulties in their personal relationships with their partners at the time of the attraction, and that idealization of the supervisor contributed to the attraction. In reaction to the attraction, trainees typically thought the attraction was normal, maintained an awareness of boundaries, and were excited, enjoyed, and felt energized by it. The attraction typically increased trainees' self-awareness of their behaviors, had a positive impact the working alliance, and increased trainees' disclosure. Typically, the attraction had a positive effect on the trainees' professional development and increased trainees' satisfaction in supervision. Trainees typically managed the sexual attraction through talking about it with other people and by fighting it, pushing it aside, or ignoring their feelings. Trainees typically reported supportive, safe, trusting, and close relationships with their supervisors. Typically, sexual attraction issues were addressed infrequently at trainees' graduate program and internship sites.