Diversity, inclusion and culture wars: Everything a psychotherapist should need to know about ‘intersectional feminist, trans*, critical race/whiteness, migration, (in)equality, queer, disability, post-colonial, decolonial, approaches and studies’ but is too afraid to ask?

Abstract

‘Why can’t we explore with clients what we used to be able to?’ This was from a supervisee where her client had described successfully instigating sex with a waiter when she called at night for the hotel’s room service and the therapist hesitated exploring this with her client/patient for concern she might be seen as against feminism. For the psychotherapist/psychological therapist it would appear that notions of diversity and inclusion are both increasingly important, and yet increasingly difficult, to be thought about with their clients. Are such difficulties to do with the biases of the person who is the psychotherapist and/or could it also sometimes be to do with how diversity, inclusion and related terms are constructed? Overall, the current quest for ‘Diversity and Inclusion’ might be seen by many as both for the good yet complex. However, for others to question how diversity and inclusion is conceptualised can be unacceptable as it questions their very right to exist, and for yet others to get involved in any culture wars is to fiddle whilst Rome (the World) burns. Furthermore, this quest for diversity and inclusion can too frequently lead to culture war brick walling. Crucially, our inability to be clear ourselves on issues of diversity and inclusion as psychotherapists may threaten our very project. This has been where traditionally clients have been able to come to us to explore what they can’t elsewhere. For clients may now find it difficult to find a therapist who is able to explore with them their concerns around diversity and inclusion which can be complicated and may take time to consider. So when is it diversity and when is it perversity and who decides? Similarly, who and what should be included and excluded from what and by whom? Other questions include whether these changes, in what might be considered EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHOTHERAPY & COUNSELLING 2023, VOL. 25, NOS. 1–2, 1–11 https://doi.org/10.1080/13642537.2022.2143607