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Writer's pictureDr. Sophia Aguirre, Ph.D., CGP, FAGPA

Intersectionality in Therapy for Therapists: Addressing Power, Privilege, and Oppression in the Therapy Room

black male in a therapy office

At the Aguirre Center for Inclusive Psychotherapy, we believe that every therapist—like every client—carries a complex web of identities, experiences, and relationships to power and privilege. Intersectionality, a concept coined by legal scholar Kimberlé Crenshaw, encourages us to look at how different aspects of identity, such as race, gender, sexuality, socioeconomic status, and ability, intersect to shape our experiences. For therapists, understanding intersectionality is crucial not only for working effectively with clients but also for navigating their own identity and experiences in therapy. By exploring how privilege and marginalization show up in their personal and professional lives, therapists can deepen their empathy, expand their cultural competence, and fortify their well-being.


Therapists as Clients: The Importance of Self-Exploration

For therapists, stepping into the client role can feel like venturing into uncharted territory. It may feel uncomfortable or unfamiliar to bring their own struggles, vulnerabilities, and biases to light. Yet, doing so is essential for personal and professional growth. As therapists explore their identities and experiences in therapy, they also gain valuable insights into how these aspects shape their work with clients.


At the Aguirre Center, we encourage therapists to use therapy to unpack the often-complex dynamics of privilege and marginalization in their lives. How might their own privilege impact the therapeutic alliance? How do their experiences with oppression inform their ability to connect with clients? These are powerful, sometimes challenging questions that help therapists become more attuned to the nuances of their clients' experiences—and, ultimately, more effective in their work.


Privilege and Marginalization: A Double-Edged Sword in Therapy

Therapists who belong to marginalized communities—such as those who identify as LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, or are part of other underrepresented groups—often carry a unique perspective shaped by lived experiences of discrimination or alienation. This perspective can foster deep empathy and understanding when working with clients from similar backgrounds. However, these therapists may also face challenges that those from more privileged backgrounds may not encounter.


For instance, therapists from marginalized communities might experience feelings of "otherness" or microaggressions within the mental health field itself, whether through limited representation, cultural misunderstandings, or systemic inequities. In therapy, they might wrestle with internalized oppression, or grapple with the fear of being dismissed or misunderstood by their therapist. Choosing a culturally competent, affirming therapist can make a profound difference, providing a space where they feel seen and validated without needing to explain or defend their identities.


On the other hand, therapists who hold significant privileges—such as being White, cisgender, male, or able-bodied—may need to confront blind spots around power dynamics in their relationships, both in and out of the therapy room. Working with a therapist who can help them explore these privileges without shame or defensiveness allows them to use their positions constructively, bringing greater awareness and humility to their work with clients.


Processing Power and Privilege in Therapy

When therapists confront their privileges or experiences with marginalization, it often brings up complex emotions: guilt, defensiveness, pride, shame, anger, or gratitude. Therapy can serve as a safe container for processing these emotions, allowing therapists to reflect on how they respond to power dynamics both personally and professionally.

At the Aguirre Center, we guide therapists through this exploration by fostering a supportive, non-judgmental environment. For instance, a therapist who grew up in a low-income background but now holds financial stability might reflect on how this shift impacts their interactions with clients facing financial insecurity. Or a therapist with visible privilege in certain areas might work to identify implicit biases that could affect their clinical judgment.

In each case, the goal is not to instill guilt but to encourage awareness. When therapists become conscious of how privilege and marginalization impact their perspectives, they’re better able to hold space for clients without letting unconscious biases interfere with the therapeutic process.


Navigating Identity in the Therapist Role

For many therapists, therapy is also an opportunity to understand the ways in which their personal identities intersect with their professional roles. For example, an LGBTQIA+ therapist may find their sexual orientation or gender identity enriching their work with queer clients, fostering a sense of solidarity and shared experience. However, they may also need to explore feelings of vulnerability or potential burnout if they work predominantly with clients who share these identities.

Additionally, therapists with marginalized identities may face a phenomenon known as “identity fatigue”—the exhaustion that can arise when one is repeatedly called upon to represent or advocate for one’s community. Therapy offers a vital space to reflect on this experience and to create boundaries that protect against burnout, helping therapists preserve their passion and commitment over the long term.


The Value of Culturally Competent Therapy for Therapists

At the Aguirre Center, we’re dedicated to providing therapists with culturally sensitive and affirming therapeutic care. Our intersectional approach emphasizes the importance of addressing dynamics of power, privilege, and oppression, not only for the benefit of therapists as individuals but also as a model for how to build authentic, inclusive therapeutic relationships. The work of navigating identity, privilege, and oppression is a continuous journey. Therapy provides a safe space for therapists to ask the hard questions, examine the impact of their own experiences, and strengthen the skills needed to serve clients from all walks of life with compassion, humility, and integrity.


For therapists committed to ongoing self-reflection, therapy becomes a transformative practice, one that helps them show up as their most authentic, attuned selves for their clients. By recognizing and working through the ways privilege and oppression shape their lives, they gain invaluable insight, resilience, and empathy. In a profession centered around holding space for others, investing in therapy for oneself is not just self-care—it’s a powerful tool for becoming a more grounded, effective, and inclusive practitioner.



If you're a therapist or mental health professional seeking therapy for yourself from a psychologist that practices from an intersectional lens we invite you to connect with Dr. Sophia Aguirre who specializes in working with mental health professionals. We're here to support you on your path to healing and self-discovery.



 

Aguirre Center for Inclusive Psychotherapy

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