The Fallacy of “Good Training Experiences”

The supervisory relationship is a catalyst of learning for trainees attending graduate programs in psychology. This article uses vignettes to depict the experiences of three trainees whose physical protection and/or emotional well-being was deprioritized by their supervisors, to support the notion of “good training experiences.” These examples show how trainees’ experiences of gender-based harassment, sexual identity-based microaggressions, and racial insensitivity can impact the supervisory relationship, treatment of clients, and professional development of the trainee if handled incorrectly. The authors highlight the role of professional ethics, workplace protections, and the importance of diversity within the supervisory relationship. The authors use their personal experiences as well as literature to describe the specific supervisory needs of female, LGBTQ+, and Black trainees. Recommendations are discussed to promote individual and systemic changes that could be implemented by supervisors and psychology graduate training programs to better meet the needs and development of diverse graduate psychology trainees.