The Four Questions: A Framework for Integrating an Understanding of Oppression Dynamics in Clinical Work and Supervision

Abstract

I have always been interested in oppression and how it creates power dynamics in relationships, both professional and personal. Like most people, my unique identity gives me differing levels of privilege. As a woman of color, I experience being marginalized on a daily basis. However, as a person who is identified as straight and cisgendered, I also experience privilege. I am often not even aware that I am experiencing that privilege. Systems of oppression function without me doing anything to benefit from my privilege besides just living my everyday life. Initially, as a clinician and then as a supervisor, I have always been concerned with how power dynamics and attitudes shaped by oppression impact our work. When I look at my relationships and interactions, the ones that are the most meaningful are the ones where I do not have to censor myself. These are the relationships where I can be forthcoming about all of my experiences. The relationships where I cannot do that are the ones that sometimes feel are leaving out a significant portion of who I am as a person. My ability to discuss oppression may or may not be impactful in friendships. Every relationship does not have to go that deep. In therapeutic relationships, however, the ability to honestly look at how clients experience the world due to their unique social identities is very impactful. These relationships are, by definition, deep. What does it mean for our work if we are overlooking or ignoring a large factor in how our clients are functioning? If the system exists without us actively doing anything other than living our lives, how are we acting it out with our clients? (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved)