The discourse of race and culture in family therapy supervision: A conversation analysis

Family therapy literature has emphasized the importance of examining contex tual variables in supervision. This study explored how the talk of race, et hnicity, and culture is accomplished within the supervision session using c onversation analysis. Conversation analysis is a naturalistic and descripti ve methodology that examines patterns across naturally occurring conversati ons. The results indicated that the participants accomplished four domains of talk that involved the discourse of race, ethnicity, or culture. These d omains included contextual markers, self of the therapist issues, cross cul tural issues in the therapeutic relationship and cultural issues affecting the supervisory relationship. Implications for supervision and future direc tions are discussed.