Critical conversations: How marriage and family therapists begin exploring topics of race, gender and social justice

Abstract

As systemic practitioners, it is vital that marriage and family therapists continually develop their knowledge of how larger oppressive systems impact their clients. The purpose of this study was to explore how therapists approach the critical topics of race, gender and social justice in therapy. To expand on existing research, the present study utilised a qualitative thematic analysis to examine the experience of eleven marriage and family therapists (MFTs) of varying experience levels. Graduate students (n = 6), professors (n = 4) and clinicians in private practice also working as faculty (n = 1) were included. Results showed evidence of five themes which included: Personhood of the Therapist, Critical Mindset, Therapist Anxiety and Fear of Marginalisation, Effective Intervention and The Role of Supervision. This study contributes to expanding the literature on how therapists can provide culturally sensitive therapy, aid in evolving therapeutic techniques and work to improve therapeutic outcomes.