Anti-oppression Psychotherapy: An Emancipatory Integration of Intersectionality Into Psychotherapy

Abstract

This article discusses how, in contrast to the field of social work, anti-oppressive practice has a relatively short history within the field of counselling, psychotherapy, and psychology. The article addresses the limitations in predominant approaches to counselling and psychotherapy and presents anti-oppression psychotherapy (AOP) as a model that integrates an anti-colonial, intersectional perspective. This article provides an overview of the context from which AOP emerges, along with foundational definitions, and a detailed explanation of the principles of the model.