Privilege in Psychotherapy: Practitioner Perspectives

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47634/hd3jnw59

Abstract

Privilege affords comfort based on unearned advantages one has because of one’s inherent closeness to power. In the present study, the authors sought to describe how practitioners’ commitments to improving their awareness of personal privilege impact their psychotherapy practice. Professional psychotherapists practising in a central Canadian province were asked: “How does your understanding of social privilege affect your practice of psychotherapy?” Study participants consisted of 25 individuals (21 women and 4 men) who had been practising for an average of 16 years. Six concepts resulted from group concept mapping analysis: incorporate critical consciousness, practice setting reflects diversity, explicit recognition of systemic inequity, understanding my social location, openness about my experience, and critical self-evaluation. The concepts are compared with the available literature.

Author Biographies

  • Jason D. Brown, Western University

    Jason D. Brown is a professor of counselling psychology in the Faculty of Education at Western University. His research explores how counsellors develop anti-oppressive and anti-racist practices that move beyond good intentions and toward structural accountability. He pursues this through community-based partnerships that centre IBPOC forms of knowledge as analytically authoritative. He is also a registered psychologist in the province of Ontario.

  • Melissa Jay, Athabasca University

    Melissa Jay is a nehiyaw-Métis scholar, an associate professor in the human services program at Athabasca University, and a registered psychologist in Alberta and British Columbia. Her research explores decolonizing approaches to counselling, health, healing, and care, with particular attention to relational accountability, Indigenous knowledges, and culturally responsive and socially just practice. She pursues this work through community-based partnerships, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the integration of Indigenous and embodied approaches to wellness.

  • Marguerite Lengyell, Western University

    Marguerite Lengyell is an assistant professor and teaching scholar in the master’s in counselling psychology program at Western University. She is also a registered psychologist in the province of Ontario. Her work is grounded in advancing equitable and reflective practices in counselling education. Her professional interests include knowledge justice, inclusive pedagogy, and the development of accessible educational resources that support diverse learners.

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Published

2026-11-09

Issue

Vol. 60 No. 3 (2026): Regular issue

Section

Articles/ Articles

License

Copyright is retained by the Canadian Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy.

How to Cite

Privilege in Psychotherapy: Practitioner Perspectives. (2026). Canadian Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy, 60(3), 259-283. https://doi.org/10.47634/hd3jnw59