Power Exchange

Words: 1093
Pages: 5

The phrase “racism” is a powerful word. It can often cause discomfort for readers because of the alarming response the body can give when this word is read. So, what made you choose to read this particular Master’s thesis? The term “Power Exchange” is an interesting term as it could mean many different things. What does power exchange mean to you, as the reader? In the social locations in which you reside? This paper will explore racism within the therapeutic alliance, noting how race plays a very powerful role in shifting the power within the therapeutic relationship between a therapist and client in different social locations. To best understand this thesis paper, there are several key words that need to be defined in order to elucidate the …show more content…
106). “Privilege” is defined by Case (2013) as “automatic unearned benefits bestowed upon perceived members of dominant groups based on social identity” (p. 2). Marginalization, as defined by Hall et al. (1994) refers to individuals or social groups on the outside due to their identity or social characteristics, environment, associations connected to a social group, and experiences. The “Interpersonal relationship,” speaks to “.reciprocal social and emotional interactions between the patient and other persons in the environment” (Griffins, 1990). A microaggression, or microaggresive comment, refers to “everyday slights, putdowns, invalidations, and insults directed at socially devalued group members by wellintentioned people who may be unaware that they have engaged in such biased and harmful behaviors” (Sue et al., 2019, p. 967). The author of this paper will interchange “racial remark,” “implicit racist remark,” and “microaggression.” In this next section, the author will provide some personal details of why she chose to write this particular thesis and will be referring to herself in the first