The unspoken experiences of systemic supervisors of color: A modified Delphi study.

Abstract

Despite collective conversations about the need for more racial diversity, the field of couple/marriage and family therapy (C/MFT) continues to be occupied predominantly by White individuals. Within the C/MFT literature, several scholar-practitioners have highlighted what the lack of racial representation means for our profession and, more importantly, our clients. C/MFT scholars have also shed light on the distinctive experiences of racially minoritized students and therapists traversing a racially homogeneous discipline. However, a smaller, and often overlooked, demographic in these conversations is supervisors of color. This modified Delphi study enlisted the expert perspectives of eight supervisors of color who each have at least a decade of supervisory experience. Consensus among the panelists emphasized the unique, but often inadequate training needs for supervisors of color and the sociocultural factors that often affect the supervisory relationship. This study provides implications that are critical to fostering the professional development of systemic supervisors of color.