Social Justice in Psychotherapy and Beyond

Abstract

This chapter analyzes the political biases inherent in the now popular "social justice counseling" movement. We trace the origins of "social justice counseling" to the multicultural movement in psychology, especially in the field of counseling psychology, over the last thirty years. While recognizing the real benefits of its ecological perspective on client problems, we examine the ways in which social justice counseling expressly politicizes psychotherapy through a politically progressive lens and how that may be harmful to clients as well as counseling students and trainees. We conclude by providing recommendations for psychotherapy research, training, and practice to ensure that they are conducted in rigorous, ethical, and effective ways that are not politicized.

Keywords: Social Justice, Multicultural, Psychotherapy, Counseling, Political Ideology, Counselor Training