Theoretical Paper - Counselling psychology and power: Considering therapy and beyond

Abstract

Content & FocusPower imbalances are present in therapy despite the desire for equality. In this paper I consider explicit and implicit power dynamics between the therapist and the client and look specifically at how power manifests in therapy by considering the therapist’s role as expert, the assumption that all clients want positive growth, the misunderstandings around the relationship between a therapist and their client that can develop, the interventions a therapist makes, the outcome of therapy and the societal forces that impact on a client. I then consider the dynamics outside and inside therapy that can influence power. I discuss how informed consent, awareness of societal forces, compassionate acceptance, metacommunication and therapist self-disclosure can help to empower the client through their therapeutic journey.ConclusionI conclude that it is better to be mindful of power in therapy than to assume power imbalances can all be overcome. Furthermore, I argue that counselling psychologists are well placed to maturely negotiate the complexity around such a discourse. I specifically discuss the importance of reflexive practice in counselling psychology and reflect upon the need for practitioners to respond to individual client’s needs and use a flexible transparent pluralistic framework, where one style of therapy is not regarded as suiting every client.