Social Structures

Psychology here in the United States has a very strong Western, individualistic, male influence. One gift from the feminism movement has been a critical examination of the core assumptions, influences, and voices present in psychology and in psychotherapy. The culture and social structures around you play an incredibly powerful impact on your well-being, your relationship with yourself, and your relationships with others. As a therapist, particularly a White, male therapist, if I ignore the forces of gender, race, sexual orientation, class, power, etc. I become blind to both forces that might be impacting you in a harmful way and also my own biases and assumptions. We have the power to challenge the social structures that shape our lives.