Clinical supervision could be regarded as the core activity in the relationship between supervising psychiatrist and resident. In the course of time this relationship has been subjected to profound changes. An analysis of these changes and of the process of supervision brings to light, that one of the three main targets of clinical supervision, i.e. the development of a professional identity, has become gravely endangered. Splitting up clinical supervision into two parts is therefore proposed: on the one hand supervision focussing on daily work, on the other hand supervision focussing on professional development. Suggestions are put forward as to how this division could be realised.