TOPIC IN FOCUS: White Privilege

When I started school to become a therapist, I sort of unknowingly entered a program that had a huge social justice component. I was extremely uninformed in the area of social justice, which isn’t surprising considering that as a white straight male I’m not often directly impacted by many of these issues. Being uneducated on these topics, I found myself becoming defensive often and speaking from a place of authority about things I really knew nothing about. Some of my defensiveness was directly related to feeling comments were an attacking me, and some of it was out of complete ignorance... which is ultimately why having open dialogues often felt like an attack.

I used to feel frustrated thinking “It’s not my job to tell other people how to live their lives. My focus is to resolve mental health issues.” I couldn’t see how these larger systemic issues had anything to do with mental health. It was truly eye opening over the years to come to learn that these issues don’t affect MY mental health because of the bubble of privilege that protects me from them.

Since leaving school, I have continued to be educated daily from experiences with my clients. I have worked with clients of multiple different ethnicities, cultures, genders and sexual orientations, and I have come to realize more and more that in order to be the therapist I want to be, I need to continue seeking education and self-reflection in the areas that are in my blind-spots.

I remain committed to being being better and doing better, not only for myself but for everyone I come into contact with.

Jay's links:
Instagram
Focus Therapy Website