Class & Social Position in Therapeutic Practice

Course Title: Working with Class and Social Position in Therapeutic Practice

Course Description:
This course explores the intersection of class and social position in the context of therapeutic practice. It aims to equip mental health professionals with the knowledge, skills, and attunement necessary to address the impact of class and social dynamics on the therapeutic process and relationship

Participants will critically examine the ways in which class and social position influence individuals’ experiences, opportunities, and mental health outcomes. They will explore the systemic factors that contribute to class disparities and inequalities, including economic structures, education, employment, and access to resources.

Through a combination of theoretical frameworks, case studies, experiential exercises, and group discussions, participants will develop a deeper understanding of how class and social position intersect with status, power, socioeconomic status and other markers of class. They will examine their own biases and assumptions and learn to create a safe, inclusive, and empowering therapeutic environment for clients from diverse class backgrounds as well as working with clients affected by their relative privilege and affluence.

Key Topics Covered:

  1. Class Concepts: Introduction to Class and Social Position: Definitions, theories, and frameworks for understanding class and social dynamics.
  2. Class Internalisation and perceptions: Explore how you perceive class and have internalised its values
  3. Class, Classism and Oppression: Explore systemic factors that contribute to class disparities, including economic, educational, and social structures.
  4. Class in Therapy: Through case examples and examples explore ways of conceptualizing class in the therapeutic relationship and its effects within clients’ lives including within societal and personal contexts.

By the end of this course, participants will gain an understanding of how class and social position impact the therapeutic process and acquire practical tools to work effectively with class including diverse class backgrounds. They will develop the skills to foster a therapeutic environment that is sensitive, inclusive, and attuned to the unique needs and experiences of individuals from different class positions, ultimately promoting greater equity and social justice within their practice.