Soziale Identitäten
Why bring this topic into the therapy room?
People and societies are incredibly diverse, and our sense of self is shaped by political processes of meaning-making and negotiation. Individuals and groups differ from one another, for example, in terms of ideological (e.g., recognition), practical (e.g., power), cultural (e.g., access), and economic (e.g., wealth) resources.
Our social positions and resources shape our view of the world and can strongly influence our psychological well-being. Depending on certain social identities, societal resources are often distributed unequally, leading some groups to be privileged while others are discriminated against or marginalized. These forms of injustice can negatively shape our relationships with ourselves and others and contribute to the development of psychological distress. Counseling or psychotherapy with a focus on social identities aims to critically examine such factors and support individuals in developing a conscious, values-congruent, helpful, and healthy way of relating to them.
Personal stance and connectedness
I appreciate diversity and feel both personally and professionally committed to supporting individuals and groups affected by discrimination. I therefore advocate for greater consideration of gender, sexuality, culture, race, class, and disabilities in psychotherapeutic care and pursue ongoing training in these areas. I have personal relationships and professional experience with people who:
a) are BIPoC, are expats, have migrated themselves, or come from families with a migration background, and/or
b) identify as LGBTQIA*—that is, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans*, intersex, queer, asexual, and/or
c) come from or identify with the poverty/working class,
d) have physical or cognitive disabilities.