Toward relationship-centered supervision: Reply to Veach (2001) and Ellis (2001)

The authors respond to comments made by P. M. Veach (2001) and M. Ellis (20 01) regarding their research articles on supervision conflict and counterpr oductivity. Their findings are unique in that they provide qualitative pers pectives on trainee experiences of negativity in supervision. Some of the c riticism directed toward their study seemed grounded in positivistic episte mology, and they address the differences between that perspective and a mor e meaning-making approach to data analysis. The authors' studies point out that the supervision relationship has the potential to harm trainees. Couns eling psychology and related fields need to define skill-based competencies in supervision that can be observed and measured, including relationship-m anagement competencies. Training of supervisors should emphasize the develo pment of clinical skills that permit them to build strong supervisory allia nces and manage conflicts in supervision.