The secret in supervision: An integral part of the social worker's professional development

The implications of social workers keeping secrets and hiding information f rom their supervisors in the course of the supervision process are discusse d. Based on Winnicot's (1965) approach, the secret is discussed as a way to create space for growth and independence. A comparison is made between the relationship in supervision and the process of the supervisee's profession al development and parent-child relationships. Cases are presented in which a secret was hidden in the course of supervision, and these demonstrate th e interplay among three elements: the qualify of the content of the secret: the professional maturity of the supervisee: and the professional maturity of the supervisor. The events described demonstrate the role of the secret in the professional growth of social workers, as well as the supevisor's n eed to exercise judgment about whether and when to "open up" the secret.