Navigating Supervision When Your Supervisee Is Also an Employee

Providing supervision to provisional psychologists is a key responsibility in fostering professional growth and ensuring ethical practice. However, situations can arise where the supervisee is also someone you employ or manage in a reporting capacity. These dual relationships can create potential conflicts and require careful navigation under the guidance of the PsyBA Code of Conduct. Supervisors often wear many hats—mentor, manager, assessor, and sometimes colleague—and it is important to remain mindful of the boundaries between these roles to ensure that no single relationship compromises professional judgement or ethical obligations.

The Code’s FAQs explicitly cite dual roles — such as being both a manager and supervisor — as something that “likely falls under the definition of multiple relationships” requiring careful consideration. https://www.psychologyboard.gov.au/Standards-and-Guidelines/FAQ/Code-of-Conduct 

"Dual roles, for example supervising a provisional psychologist while also holding a role as their direct manager, is likely to fall under the definition of multiple relationships. Section 4.9 of the Code sets out the expectations in relation to managing multiple relationships.

Psychologists must discontinue, or avoid, multiple relationships unless they hold a reasonable belief that they are ethically, legally or organisationally obliged to continue or enter into such relationships.

If you do decide to continue or enter into a multiple relationship, you should refer to section 4.9 of the Code which sets out what effective practice would include in such circumstances.

Section 10.1 also relates to providing supervision to other practitioners. Effective practice includes that you avoid any potential for conflict of interest in teaching or supervision relationships that might impair your objectivity or interfere with the supervised person’s learning outcomes or experience. For example, do not supervise someone with whom you have a pre-existing service or non-service relationship."

Understanding the Dual Relationship

The PsyBA Code of Conduct emphasises the importance of maintaining professional boundaries and avoiding conflicts of interest. As the Code notes, psychologists must:

“recognise the inherent power imbalance in the psychologist–client relationship… be clear about the boundaries that must exist to ensure objectivity in service provision, and avoid conflicts of interest, as well as under-or over-involvement” (Section 4.8b, Code of Conduct, 2025).

When a supervisee is also an employee, there is a risk that employment-related dynamics—such as performance evaluations, promotions, or disciplinary actions—could influence the supervisory relationship. Supervision in this context is best focused on professional development, clinical skill-building, and ethical practice, rather than employment management.

Key Considerations

Transparency – Clearly outline the purpose and scope of supervision. The Code emphasises the importance of informed consent and clarity in professional relationships:

“At the beginning of a service and thereafter as necessary, clients… should be adequately informed about the limits of confidentiality and likely uses of the information generated whilst providing the service” (Section 3.3a.i, Code of Conduct, 2025).

Confidentiality and Maintaining Boundaries
Supervisors must maintain the confidentiality of supervision, recognising that it is a regulated health service. This requires being clear about what information can or cannot be shared within the employment context and ensuring that personal, managerial, or workplace matters are kept separate from the supervision space. Supervisors should consider whether sharing information from supervision with colleagues is appropriate, and where consent is needed, it should be obtained in advance. Clear boundaries help protect both the supervisee and supervisor and maintain trust in the supervision relationship.

“Psychologists have ethical and legal obligations to protect the privacy of clients… unless the release of information is required or authorised by law” (Section 3.3, Code of Conduct, 2025).

Referring Out When Needed

If the dual relationship risks compromising supervision, it may be appropriate to refer the supervisee to an external supervisor. This aligns with the Code’s guidance on multiple relationships:

“Psychologists must discontinue, or avoid, multiple relationships unless they hold a reasonable belief that they are ethically, legally or organisationally obliged to continue or enter into such relationships” (Section 4.9, Code of Conduct, 2025).

You may like to move principal supervision to a supervisor not employed within the organisation and retain secondary supervision onsite. See our blog on the benefits of a blended model of supervision offsite and onsite: https://www.provisionalpsych.com.au/blog/principalsupervision 

Seeking Professional, Legal, and External Supervision Advice

When supervising someone with whom there is an employment relationship, dual relationships and conflicts of interest may arise. Supervisors are encouraged to seek external supervision or peer consultation to reflect on these potential conflicts and determine whether a dual relationship exists. In more complex situations, obtaining professional or legal advice can help ensure that both parties are protected and that obligations under the Code, workplace policies, and the law are met.

“Psychologists must discontinue, or avoid, multiple relationships unless they hold a reasonable belief that they are ethically, legally or organisationally obliged to continue or enter into such relationships… Consider consulting an experienced practitioner if reasonable” (Section 4.9, Code of Conduct, 2025).

Documentation

Keep clear records of supervision sessions, noting topics discussed, professional development goals, and any action plans. Documentation can help clarify boundaries if questions about conflicts of interest arise.

Maintaining Ethical Practice

Supervision in a dual relationship requires heightened awareness, professionalism, and reflection. By prioritising transparency, boundaries, and clear communication, supervisors can meet the PsyBA expectations and support the supervisee’s development without compromising ethical standards. As the Code underscores, psychologists should:

“regularly reflect on your service provision, decisions and actions to provide the most effective and culturally safe and reflective services” (Section 1.2m, Code of Conduct, 2025).

For further guidance on supervision and professional conduct, the PsyBA provides detailed information on maintaining ethical practice, including managing dual relationships: PsyBA Supervision Guidelines.

Striking the Right Balance

Maintaining ethical supervision and professional boundaries does not need to conflict with workforce growth for provisional psychologists. Organisations benefit when supervisees can develop under strong, supportive relationships with both their supervisors and employers.

An onsite supervisor provides accessibility, guidance, and connection to the organisational context, while offsite or external supervision can offer additional objectivity and support for complex issues. By combining these approaches, organisations can nurture professional growth, retain talent, and strengthen both the employee–employer and supervisee–supervisor relationships.

Careful planning and clarity around roles, responsibilities, and boundaries ensures that ethical practice is maintained without limiting opportunities for development or workforce expansion.