This book is for anyone practicing psychotherapy or counseling. It is
my hope that over time and accumulation of experience that the topics
remain relevant and the questions, worth considering again at different
points in one’s career.
The humanity of our work is vital to its practice. In this way, reflective
practice can serve as a helpful guide to self-monitoring and improvement.
The topics herein place particular importance on the potential for
our work to be therapeutic in ways that are also emancipatory, inclusive,
and equitable. Social location and identity are fundamental topics to consider
for working in a diverse society and across differences. The success
of efforts that directly and indirectly challenge privilege are essential to
improve access to opportunities that enhance mental health and address
illness for all who experience social disadvantage. One way to move this
idea forward is to locate oneself in the systemic oppression associated
with identities and locations that we are each a part of.