🧠 Blog #3: The Roles You Didn’t Ask For (But Now You’ve Got Them)

By Dr. A, The Awkward Therapist™
Supervisor Survival Series™

I hate to break it to you, but being a supervisor isn’t just one job.

It’s, like... four. Minimum.

Nobody told you that when you signed the dotted line, did they? (Spoiler: they never do.)

And while you may have stepped into this gig expecting to be a sounding board or maybe help someone write better treatment plans, suddenly you’re also the ethics guru, emotional regulator, note reviewer, boundary setter, and unofficial lunch-break therapist for your supervisee.

Let’s unpack the four roles you inherited — whether you wanted them or not.

1️⃣ Gatekeeper of the Profession

This one sounds dramatic… because it is.
You are literally the last line between your supervisee and the people they’re serving.

No pressure.

Being a gatekeeper means asking:

• Are they safe to practice?
• Are they using their clinical judgment responsibly?
• Are they aware of their biases, blind spots, and burnout?

It’s not about being harsh or punitive — it’s about protecting clients. And sometimes, that means pausing, redirecting, or even saying, “not yet.”

You don’t need to be perfect, but you do need to be honest — especially when it’s hard.

2️⃣ Clinical Coach

Think less “rah-rah cheerleader” and more “compassionate sideline strategist.”

Coaching is about noticing what’s going well, what’s missing, and what could be sharpened — without crushing your supervisee’s soul.

Your job here:

• Spot patterns
• Ask good questions
• Offer concrete suggestions
• Help build habits (not dependency)

Example:
❌ “You’re doing fine, just keep it up.”
✅ “I noticed you tend to over-accommodate in parent sessions. Let’s talk about where that might come from.”

3️⃣ Documentation Detective

Ah yes, the most glamorous part.
Reading notes that say, “client appeared to be doing okay” and trying not to cry.

Every supervisor becomes an unlicensed investigator at some point — because let’s be honest: notes are often where the first red flags show up.

Your job? Make sure documentation:

• Reflects real interventions
• Includes clinical reasoning
• Covers liability without sounding like a robot

4️⃣ Safe Space Builder

This one’s sneaky. It’s not in your job description, but it matters just as much as the others.

Supervision should be a place where:

• Questions are welcomed
• Failure is normalized
• Emotions are held, not avoided
• Power is acknowledged, not ignored

You can’t make everything feel safe. But you can be consistent. Present. Curious. And willing to repair when you miss something.

🎯 Quick Reality Check:

You’re going to lean into some roles more naturally than others. That’s okay.

The point isn’t to become a superhero.
The point is to show up on purpose — and know which hat you’re wearing at any given time.

Final Words: You’re Wearing More Hats Than You Signed Up For

And honestly? That’s what makes supervision so important — and so powerful.

You’re shaping the next wave of therapists.
Not with perfection.
With presence. With practice. With awkward honesty and just enough feedback to stretch them, not snap them.

You’ve got the roles.
You’re building the skills.
Keep going.

✨ Feeling seen? You’re not alone.
This is just the beginning. Keep reading the Supervisor Survival Series™ for more real talk, practical tips, and “omg same” moments from the supervision seat.

Because you don’t need to have it all figured out —
you just need a place to grow while you guide others. 🧠💬