Perceptions of the supervisory relationship: Recovering and nonrecovering substance abuse counselors

The unique set of dynamics found in the substance abuse field (i.e., recove ring and nonrecovering counselors and supervisors) calls for a separate exa mination of the supervisory relationship within this context. The authors e xamined differences in counselors' perceptions of the supervisory relations hip based on counselor and supervisor recovery status, and the match or mis match of counselor and supervisor recovery status. Substance abuse counselo rs (N = 547) working in a statewide public mental health system located in the Southeast rated satisfaction with supervision and reported perceptions of various dimensions of the supervisory relationship. Results of the 2 (co unselor recovery status: nonrecovering and recovering) x 2 (supervisor reco very status: nonrecovering and recovering) multivariate analysis of varianc e indicated no significant differences in ratings of satisfaction or relati onship dimensions based on either the counselors' or supervisors' recovery status. A significant interaction effect for counselor and supervisor recov ery status (i.e., match or mismatch of recovery status) was found for all s atisfaction and relationship measures.