Using intersectionality in psychotherapy involves integrating an understanding of clients’ intersecting identities and the systemic inequalities they may face into the therapeutic process. This approach acknowledges that people’s experiences of mental health are shaped not just by personal issues, but also by broader sociopolitical factors like racism, sexism, classism, ableism, and other forms of oppression.
Here’s how to use intersectionality in psychotherapy:
1. Develop a Deep Understanding of Intersectionality
• Educate Yourself: Learn about the systemic structures that shape individuals’ experiences based on their race, gender, class, sexual orientation, disability, and other social identities.
• Reflect on Your Own Position: Understand how your own intersecting identities (as a therapist) influence your perspective, biases, and the therapeutic relationship.
2. Create a Safe, Affirming Space
• Acknowledge Power Dynamics: Recognize the inherent power dynamic in the therapist-client relationship and how this may intersect with other dynamics (e.g., racial or gender-based).
• Validate Experiences: Create a space where clients feel seen and heard in all aspects of their identity.
• Example: Acknowledge systemic injustices if a client mentions experiences of racism or sexism, rather than minimizing or ignoring them.
3. Understand Clients’ Intersecting Identities
• Holistic Intake Assessments: During initial sessions, ask about clients’ identities and how they perceive their impact on their lives. Avoid assumptions based on appearances or stereotypes.
• Example: A client who is both LGBTQ+ and a person of color may face unique challenges compared to someone who holds only one of these identities.
• Tailored Interventions: Adapt interventions to reflect the complexity of clients’ intersecting identities and lived experiences.
• Example: A Latina immigrant woman facing workplace discrimination may benefit from exploring cultural, gender, and socioeconomic stressors in therapy.
4. Address the Role of Systems and Social Context
• Explore External Stressors: Acknowledge how systemic oppression and discrimination contribute to the client’s mental health struggles.
• Example: Highlight how societal racism might contribute to anxiety in a Black client, rather than framing it solely as an internal issue.
• Advocate for Structural Change: Where appropriate, help clients identify ways to advocate for themselves in oppressive systems or connect them to resources and community support.
5. Use Culturally Affirming and Inclusive Practices
• Cultural Competence: Incorporate an understanding of the client’s cultural background into the therapeutic process.
• Example: Acknowledge the importance of collective family values for clients from cultures where family plays a central role.
• Affirm Marginalized Identities: Celebrate and affirm identities that may be marginalized in broader society.
• Example: Work on building pride and resilience for a transgender client experiencing transphobia.
6. Be Mindful of Language
• Avoid Pathologizing: Recognize that some behaviors or experiences (e.g., mistrust of authority, code-switching) may be adaptive responses to systemic oppression rather than signs of pathology.
• Use Inclusive Language: Mirror the client’s language when discussing their identities (e.g., gender pronouns, ethnic descriptors).
7. Address Internalized Oppression
• Unpack Internalized Biases: Help clients explore and challenge internalized racism, sexism, or other forms of oppression that may affect self-esteem or relationships.
• Example: A client may struggle with feelings of inadequacy due to societal messages about their racial identity. Therapy can focus on deconstructing these messages.
8. Foster Resilience and Empowerment
• Build Resilience: Use strengths-based approaches that highlight the client’s resilience in navigating systemic barriers.
• Encourage Agency: Support clients in finding ways to assert their agency and advocate for their needs within oppressive systems.
9. Recognize Trauma from Systemic Oppression
• Acknowledge Racial and Cultural Trauma: Understand that experiences like discrimination, microaggressions, or generational trauma have profound mental health impacts.
• Example: Use trauma-informed approaches that validate the client’s experiences of racism or xenophobia.
• Work on Healing: Incorporate practices like mindfulness, grounding, and narrative therapy to help clients process systemic trauma.
10. Collaborate with Clients and Communities
• Empower Clients: Work collaboratively to identify goals that reflect their values and priorities.
• Community Resources: Encourage connection with supportive communities or advocacy groups to combat isolation and foster empowerment.
Case Example: Intersectional Therapy in Practice
A Black lesbian woman seeks therapy for depression. An intersectional approach might involve:
1. Exploring her experiences with systemic racism, sexism, and homophobia, and how these intersect.
2. Understanding the impact of her identity on her relationships, career, and self-concept.
3. Affirming her identity as a source of strength while addressing the trauma caused by discrimination.
4. Collaborating on strategies to navigate oppressive systems while fostering self-compassion and resilience.
Key Takeaways
Using intersectionality in psychotherapy means:
• Viewing the client as a whole person within their social, historical, and cultural context.
• Addressing both individual and systemic factors that influence mental health.
• Empowering clients to navigate, resist, and heal from systemic oppression.
By incorporating intersectionality, therapists can provide more nuanced, effective, and equitable care that respects the complexity of clients’ lives.
