Enlisting the Supervisor's Pregnancy to Facilitate the Supervisory Process

Abstract

While the link between pregnancy and therapy has been studied, it appears to have remained largely unexplored in the field of supervision. This preliminary research examines the effect of the supervisor's pregnancy on her supervisees and on the supervisory process. The findings of this study indicate that pregnancy affects both supervisees and their supervisor, as she is perceived by them. This effect undergoes transformation during the pregnancy process and is particularly salient during the transition from the initially “hidden” pregnancy to its recognition, when it is revealed and discussed between supervisor and supervisee. This paper deals with ways to enlist the pregnancy to promote the process of learning and supervision. It also suggests the possible implications of this research for general principles of supervision, particularly with regard to events that intrude on the normal supervision process.