Theoretical Paper - Is homelessness a matter of social justice for counselling psychologists in the UK? A review of the literature

Abstract

Content & FocusThere is a discourse within psychology relating to homelessness that describes a significant minority of individuals in Britain who are less likely to experience physical, mental and emotional wellbeing than the housed majority. Homelessness is, therefore, contextualised here as both a relevant topic for counselling psychology and as a matter of social justice. The place of social justice within the counselling psychology discourse is discussed and the situation in the US is contrasted with that in the UK. Psychology, counselling and nursing literature relating to homelessness is critiqued to discover how useful it is for counselling psychologists, whether homelessness is being considered by counselling psychologists in the UK and whether it reflects the principles of social justice work for counselling psychologists proposed by Goodman et al. (2004).ConclusionExisting literature relating to homelessness is of use to counselling psychologists in that it can be used to inform practice, understand the context of homelessness, and challenge the pathologisation of the homeless population. Of the literature considered, some of the North American papers explicitly show an interest in social justice unlike the British literature. It is difficult to ascertain the extent to which British counselling psychologists are working with homeless clients. Further research could consider: how many counselling psychologists in the UK are working with homeless clients; how counselling psychologists in the UK conceive of the relationship between the profession and society; and whether/how the conception of that relationship influences their work.