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Intersectionality in family therapy training: inviting students to embrace the complexities of lived experience
Author(s) -
Butler Catherine
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
journal of family therapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.52
H-Index - 45
eISSN - 1467-6427
pISSN - 0163-4445
DOI - 10.1111/1467-6427.12090
Subject(s) - intersectionality , reflexivity , systemic therapy , family therapy , lived experience , power (physics) , psychology , gender studies , sociology , psychotherapist , medicine , social science , physics , cancer , quantum mechanics , breast cancer
While intersectionality has become an established and much used theory in feminist and critical race studies, the concept remains relatively underused by systemic family therapists and on family therapy training courses. And yet systemic therapy embraces the multiplicity of human existence and examines the interplay of power relations. This article attempts to fill this gap by emphasizing the usefulness of intersectionality in representing the complexities of lived experience and by presenting an exercise to introduce students to intersectionality in family therapy training. Practitioner points Therapists and trainers should be aware of the privileges and oppressions that the intersections of their social locations create. Therapists and trainers should be ready to initiate conversations with clients and students about intersecting identities and their influence. Help students to apply intersectionality theory through structured, well‐paced exercises with plenty of in‐built reflexive discussion.