The Importance of Recognising Intersectionality in the Therapy Room
Intersectionality is a term that has gained significant traction in social and therapeutic contexts in recent years. Coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw in 1989, it refers to the complex and cumulative way in which different forms of discrimination (such as racism, sexism, classism, ableism, etc.) intersect and interact. When applied to psychotherapy, recognising intersectionality means understanding that a client’s experiences and mental health are shaped not by a single identity (e.g., gender, race, or sexuality), but by the interconnectedness of these various identities. Therefore, to effectively support clients, therapists need to be mindful of the multiple social identities their clients inhabit and the systems of power that impact these identities.
Why Is Intersectionality Important in Therapy?
Intersectionality is essential in therapy because it acknowledges that individuals cannot be understood through a one-dimensional lens. For instance, the experience of a Black woman cannot be wholly captured by considering her gender alone, as the additional impact of race adds a layer of complexity. Moreover, if she identifies as queer or is living with a disability, her identity is shaped by a unique combination of factors that influence how she navigates the world. Ignoring these intersections risks marginalising clients within the therapeutic space, leading to a failure to recognise and validate their experiences.
Therapists who are attuned to intersectional perspectives are better equipped to provide a safe, respectful, and non-judgemental environment for all clients. This approach enhances therapeutic effectiveness by demonstrating cultural competency and social sensitivity, which, in turn, fosters deeper trust and engagement in the therapeutic process.
Recognising Intersectionality: Examples from the Therapy Room
Understanding intersectionality in practice can be challenging, as it requires therapists to continuously reflect on their own assumptions, biases, and frameworks. Below are some examples of how intersectionality might manifest in the therapy room and the approaches therapists can take to integrate this awareness:
1. Working with a Client from a Minority Ethnic Background
Consider a therapist working with a young Asian woman who presents with symptoms of anxiety and depression. A traditional approach might focus solely on generalised factors like work stress or familial expectations. However, an intersectional perspective would also consider the cultural nuances, such as pressures related to upholding family honour, experiences of racial microaggressions, and the impact of being a woman in a patriarchal cultural context. Understanding these intersections allows the therapist to explore how different cultural and societal factors contribute to her mental health struggles, thus creating a more comprehensive and personalised treatment plan.
2. Supporting an LGBTQ+ Client Facing Homelessness
Imagine a therapist working with a transgender teenager who is experiencing homelessness. Focusing solely on their identity as a transgender person would miss the compounded issues of socioeconomic status, access to resources, and systemic discrimination. The therapist might explore how the client’s gender identity intersects with their socioeconomic status and how that intersection affects their mental health, self-esteem, and access to support. An intersectional approach would also include collaborating with services and resources that cater specifically to the needs of LGBTQ+ youth to provide more holistic support.
3. Understanding Trauma in a Multigenerational Context
When working with clients from Indigenous communities, it is crucial to recognise how historical trauma intersects with current lived experiences. For example, a therapist might be treating a young Indigenous man presenting with PTSD. An intersectional approach would consider how his trauma is not only individual but also shaped by a legacy of colonial oppression, land dispossession, and cultural dislocation. The therapist would need to incorporate culturally informed strategies and possibly integrate traditional healing practices alongside conventional therapeutic approaches to honour and address these layered experiences.
Practical Tips for Integrating Intersectionality into Therapy
- Self-Reflection and Continued Education
Therapists must continually engage in self-reflection and education to understand how their own identities and biases impact their therapeutic practice. Seeking out training and literature on intersectionality, cultural competency, and social justice in mental health is crucial. - Avoiding Overgeneralisation
It is easy to make assumptions based on a single identity marker. For example, assuming that all women experience similar challenges or that all Black men face the same struggles is reductive and can invalidate a client’s unique experience. Take the time to ask open-ended questions about how your client’s various identities influence their world. - Using Culturally Sensitive Language
Language shapes our understanding of the world. Using inclusive and culturally sensitive language that respects a person’s self-identification is crucial. Asking clients how they prefer to be identified can set a respectful and affirming tone in the therapy room. - Building Trust through Validation
Validate your clients’ experiences by recognising the systems of oppression they may be navigating. Being able to name and acknowledge issues like systemic racism, sexism, and homophobia when they arise in therapy communicates to clients that their therapist sees and respects their lived reality. - Creating a Safe and Inclusive Space
Ensure that your therapy space, both physical and emotional, is inclusive and welcoming. This includes having diverse representation in literature and resources, displaying inclusive signs, and using materials that are respectful of different cultural, sexual, and gender identities.
Conclusion
Integrating an intersectional approach in therapy is not a one-off task but a continuous process of learning, unlearning, and adapting. It requires therapists to move beyond a focus on single-issue identities and instead, embrace the full complexity of their clients’ lived experiences. By adopting this perspective, therapists can provide more nuanced and empathetic support, ultimately promoting more effective therapeutic outcomes.
Incorporating intersectionality into your therapeutic practice is not just beneficial—it is necessary for creating a truly inclusive and compassionate space that honours the diverse realities of every client.
Resources
Wikipedia entry for Crenshaw
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kimberl%C3%A9_Crenshaw
Article by Crenshaw
https://www.jstor.org/stable/1229039