Exploring Anxiety in Whiteness Amongst Counselors

Session Overview:

In this presentation, we introduce a psychodynamically informed perspective on White identity in the counseling space, as it relates to white counselors’ ability to ethically and effectively work with clients of color. We explore White fragility as a manifestation of subconscious anxiety and ego defensive functioning by drawing upon Kohut’s Vulnerable Narcissism concept and Utsev and Gemat’s model of counselor related defenses. Additionally, we apply the notion of affect phobia in an effort to conceptualize White counselors’ avoidance of discussing race and White privilege. In recognition of the microaggressions and bias faced by clients of color, we propose a thorough understanding of this anxiety and avoidance, as it is necessary for embodying cultural humility in the counseling profession. Additionally, we recommend steps that counselors can take in identifying blocks to acknowledging white privilege and in developing a sense of cultural humility

Learning Objectives:

1. To understand white racial identity and its development, along with the consequences of neglecting to consider White privilege in relation to the counseling process
2. To draw from Heinz Kohut’s notion of “Vulnerable Narcissism” in enhancing our understanding of White fragility
3. To explore ego defensive functioning, using Utsev’s and Gemat’s model of counselor-related defenses, to further our understanding of avoidance of racially-relevant issues in counseling
4. To propose a model for conceptualizing and addressing white counselor avoidance of race, drawing from the notion of “affect phobia”