Stepping Outside of One’s Own Culture: Therapy as a Socio-Political Practice in Australia
Sitting with Aboriginal women in Australia has revealed how culture-bound mainstream western therapeutic modalities are and the importance of giving consideration to how power is embodied and conveyed within the therapeutic relationship. This orientation is central to deconstructing inherently oppressive practices within therapeutic models, and necessary if therapeutic services are not to be used or viewed as a vehicle of domination or colonisation.
This way of working requires the therapist to move outside of their own personal and professional culture and to be cognisant of the socio-political discourses that inform and shape identity constructions, both their own and those of their clients. Together with the philosophical orientation provided by Narrative Therapy, these insights have informed the development of an evolving therapeutic frame that fosters restorative practices which are additionally acts of broader social change.
