Trainee psychologists and relationships: Stepping in to bigger shoes

The issue of unqualified psychologists completing high-stakes work is contentious. Trainee psychologists carry significant power in their ability to make recommendations that can have a serious impact on the lives of the people they work with. This set of circumstances creates barriers to forming respectful and human professional relationships. Trainees are also just learning. They have a lot of demands to balance and hold very little power in terms of how psychology is applied within their services. There is pressure to conform, not rock the boat and to make progress towards their qualification without making too many demands on supervisors and qualified colleagues. However, the profession of forensic psychology needs the fresh eyes of a new generation of psychologists, people who may be able to challenge the status quo and create a profession that is broad, inclusive and dynamic. The supervision relationship is pivotal in developing competence and navigating the complexity of relationships across the forensic context. Scaffolding through supervision can help trainees cope with many complexities inherent in forensic settings. This chapter brings together the voices of educators, supervisors and trainees. We will discuss the issues facing trainees on their journey to qualification; we will share strategies to manage the supervisory relationship. We will reflect on how trainees navigate complex relationships and the pressure to balance competence and authenticity, as well as practical strategies around well-being, while navigating the complexities of life as a trainee.