A GLIMPSE INTO USING A SOCIAL JUSTICE LENS IN THE THERAPY ROOM

Abstract

The current global sociopolitical environment has highlighted the need for social change, bringing attention to the ways in which oppression and marginalization continue to live within many societal structures and systems. Counselling practitioners are called to better address the needs of culturally diverse clients and the social injustices that shape and contextualize mental health concerns. In the current study, I used interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) to describe the experience of six Canadian counsellors' intentional commitment to using a social justice lens into therapeutic conversations. Participants shared that it was important to set up a foundation with the client built on trust and understanding before bridging a social justice lens to therapeutic conversations. Strategic implementation, counsellors’ personal and professional experiences of social injustices, and education affected participants’ confidence in implementing social justice initiatives. I then discuss the limitations of the study and the implications for practice, research, and training.