From Stigma to Support: How Therapists Navigate Intersectionality of Identities and Power Dynamics

This study explored how Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs) in the United States described how they addressed intersectionality, power dynamics, and cultural responsiveness in their clinical work. Guided by Socioculturally Attuned Family Therapy, Critical Race Theory, and Intersectionality, this research examined how therapists described reflecting on their own identities, biases, positions of power, and how these factors shaped the therapeutic relationship. The study relates these frameworks through exploring how therapists adapt their approaches to address race, racism, and other intersecting systems of oppression while responding to clients’ diverse sociocultural experiences and promoting equitable and culturally responsive care Since family therapy emphasizes relational, systemic, and sociocultural contexts, understanding how LMFTs integrate these principles into practice is essential for promoting equitable and culturally responsive therapeutic relationships. Using a qualitative design (deductive thematic analysis), data were collected from 12 LMFTs through open-ended survey responses. Findings indicated that therapists regularly engaged in self-reflection, emphasized cultural contexts, and incorporated social-justice-oriented approaches. However, they less frequently addressed race, racism, and systemic oppression. This study highlights a gap in the literature between implicit practice and explicit theoretical integration, stressing the importance of intentional application of frameworks, additional training, and greater accountability to support equitable and inclusive mental healthcare.