Working with Sameness
Kay McFarlane
May 2010
objectives
▲ Consider the importance of
sameness/similarity in therapy
▲ Explore potential implications for
our practice
format
▲ Presentation of 8 proposals
▲ Discussion
Disagree
Agree
premise
Therapy needs to be rooted in
exploration of the personal,
group, cultural, structural and
political realms – since every
element of our existence is
embedded here.
proposal 1…
sameness gets overlooked
As therapists we are encouraged to carefully
consider the ways in which we are different
from the client, and the origins or
repercussions of these differences.
proposal 2…
over attention to difference is risky
▲over attention to difference can support
oppression (Malik 1996)
▲over attention to difference can divert attention
away from injustice. There is a “shift from
campaigning for the ‘right to be equal’ to
proclaiming the ‘right to be different’
(Malik 2005, p262)
proposal 3 …
sameness and difference are inevitable
of human
existence
We allelements
belong to a range
of various
groups (ethnicity,
gender, class, etc) that have power interrelationships
and various social positions. We are the same and
different to everybody and every group, large or small,
at every moment. So, interconnection between
sameness and difference pervades every therapeutic
encounter.
proposal 4 …
distinguish between sameness
and connection
Sameness/difference to others (comparison)
Union/separateness from others (connection)
All connections are significant and need interrogation; remote
or close, direct or indirect
Examining connection, including the dynamics of power, is
significant in the development of fair and honourable human
relationships and therefore fundamental in therapeutic arena
proposal 5 …
explore sameness to build relationship
Gaertner and Dovidio (2005) propose the
‘Common Ingroup Identity Model’.
La Roche and Maxie (2003) advocate addressing therapist/client
commonalities as this……
- may assist the therapist in establishing an initial rapport,
- client may experience more comfort, security, and acceptance.
- reduce clients concerns about therapy, especially when there
are significant cultural differences between therapist and client
Proposal 6 …
explore privileged or mainstream
sameness
▲Members of majority
groups need to take
Responsibility and examine the impact of the
similarities they have or connections between them,
eg what is the impact of the advantage we have or
the discrimination we perpetuate ?
▲Over-identification (Ridley 1995)
proposal 7 …
explore disadvantaged or minority
▲“Identifying withsameness
the oppressor” (Ridley 1995)
▲Members of disadvantaged groups need to
explore the similarities and connections
between them eg what do we perpetuate or
overlook in our disadvantages ?
proposal 8 …
power, privilege, oppression in
sameness
is reasons
always
Each client
has different
forrelevant
being in therapy
and different interests in sameness or difference – of
course that will inform the degree to which and how
similarities will be addressed in the work.
Therapists need to understand themselves and their
advantaged/disadvantaged group memberships. They
need skills and qualities to work with clients’
similarities and differences in their lives (explicitly and
implicitly) as well as with their similarities and
differences with the therapist.
homework
For each proposal you agree with, consider…….
what do you need to develop in your practice ?
References
Gaertner, S & Dovidio, J (2005) Understanding and Addressing Contemporary
Racism: From Aversive Racism to the Common Ingroup Identity Model.
Journal of Social Issues, Vol 61, No. 3, pp.615-639.
La Roche, M and Maxie, A. 2003. Ten Considerations in Addressing Cultural
Differences in Psychotherapy Professional Psychology: Research and
Practice. Vol. 34, No. 2, 180–186.
Malik, K. 1996. The Meaning of Race: Race, History and Culture in Western
Society. Macmillan.
Malik, K. 2005. Making a difference: culture, race and social policy.
Patterns of Prejudice, Vol. 39, No. 4.
Nakata, Y (2008) A Japanese Perspective. In S Haugh & S Paul (Eds) The
Therapeutic Relationship: Perspectives and Themes . PCCS Books.
Oliver, M. (1996). Understanding Disability: From Theory to Practice. Macmillan.
Owusu-Bempah, K. and Howitt, D. (2000). Beyond Western Perspectives. BPS
Books.
Ridley, C. 1995. Overcoming Unintentional Racism in Counselling and Therapy.
Sage.