Why are counseling supervisors discouraged from supervising friends or family members?

Supervising friends or family members is discouraged primarily because of the inherent power differential and the potential for judgment displacement that can arise in such relationships. In a supervisory setting, the supervisor holds authority and responsibility for evaluating the supervisee's performance and guiding their professional development. When the supervisee is a friend or family member, this dynamic can lead to conflicts of interest and complicate decision-making processes. The supervisor may find it challenging to maintain objectivity or may unconsciously allow personal feelings to influence their professional assessments.

This power differential can create an environment where the supervisee may feel uncomfortable expressing concerns or receiving constructive criticism, ultimately hindering their growth and learning process. It can also lead to perceptions of favoritism or bias, which could diminish trust in the supervisory relationship. Therefore, maintaining professional boundaries by avoiding supervision of friends or family ensures that the supervision process remains fair, objective, and conducive to the development of the supervisee's skills and competencies.