The triadic match: the interactive effect of supervisor, candidate, and patient

The triadic match is the author's term for the interaction among analytic candidate, supervisor, and patient. Overlapping or diverging characteristics of candidate and supervisor may influence the candidate's learning for good or ill depending on the way patient's and candidate's character and conflicts interact. Four candidates who had found their supervisors' character and supervisory styles particularly beneficial in relation to a particular patient volunteered to describe their experiences. Candidates and supervisors were interviewed. The aim of the paper is to illuminate factors in the match that enhanced or interfered with the candidates' learning. While the paper is presented from the perspective of the candidates' experiences, the balance between challenge and comfort in learning situations is also considered.