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This article describes the evolution and current practice of a model of location of self, a process in which the therapist self-discloses her or his social locations and invites a conversation about how the intersection of the identities held by the therapist and family may be beneficial and/or limiting. It invites thoughtfulness and dialogue in recognizing and addressing explicit and implicit ways that experience, with its associated privilege or subjugation in the world, can operate in the therapy room. It signifies that the therapist is open to exploring how these issues influence clients' lives outside of therapy as well. The conceptual foundations for location of self, along with its clinical development, are discussed, including the social justice perspective in which it is firmly embedded. Clinical benefits and challenges in its use are also noted.
Keywords: Therapist's social location; lntersectionality in therapy; Social justice in therapy
Fam Proc 49:405-420, 2010
Location of self is the name of a process in which the therapist initiates a conversation with a family about similarities and differences in their key identities, such as race, ethnicity, gender, class, sexual orientation, and religion, and how they may potentially influence the therapy process. Implicit in this communication is the idea that these identities are meaningful and embedded in the work. In extending this invitation to the family to reflect and discuss the intersection of their identities, the therapist lays the groundwork for these issues to be raised throughout the course of therapy. The therapist signals a measure of comfort with going into the experience of social location in relationships inside and outside of the therapy room. Location of self begins with the therapist engaging in self-disclosure, but the process goes far beyond what is typical in the use of therapist self-disclosure.
CONCEPTUAL FOUNDATIONS
Challenging the Standard Bearer-White, Middle Class, Heterosexual, and Male-To Move Over
The conceptual foundation for the location of self process rests with key developments in the field of therapy in general. One shift involved the recognition of the role of various identities of culture, ethnicity, gender, race, class, and sexual orientation in understanding and working with families/clients. Not surprisingly, these issues were initially pushed into saliency by professionals with one or more marginalized identities. Mental health professionals of color...