Dissertation Title:

The Cultural Complex of White Supremacy: Within and Beyond Psychotherapy

Candidate:

Sarah Wolfarth-Davis

Date, Time & Place:

October 28, 2019 at 3:00 pm
Studio, Lambert Road campus


Abstract

The purpose of this research was to shed light on, and draw awareness to, the impacts of the white supremacy cultural complex, both in the American collective unconscious, as well as the clinical unconscious within psychology. Eight adult clients, who identify as people of color, participated in individual semi-structured oral interviews, detailing their therapeutic encounters with White therapists. The thematic analysis identified the importance of feeling fully understood on a basic human level. Key themes included feeling understood, feeling misunderstood, therapist lack of racial awareness, splitting, understanding racial oppression and its impacts, and intersectionality. Participants indicated the ways their White therapists both lacked and demonstrated the necessary capacities to provide a safe therapeutic relationship, indicated by racial competency and insight into the impacts of racial trauma. In reporting on what is needed from White therapists to provide such a safe relationship, participants stressed not only racial competency, but a strong intersectional lens as well.

Note

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Details
  • Program/Track/Year: Depth Psychology with Specialization in Psychotherapy, Track T, 2013
  • Chair: Dr. Fanny Brewster
  • Reader: Dr. Joseph Cambray
  • External Reader: Dr. Pilar Jennings
  • Keywords: White Supremacy, Racism, Cultural Complex, Racial Oppression, Systemic Racism