Cultural ruptures: Addressing microaggressions in group therapy

Joseph R. Miles; Christopher Anders; D. Martin Kivlighan; Aziza A. Belcher Platt

doi:10.1037/gdn0000149

Objective: Because therapy groups represent social microcosms, social dynamics from outside of the group play out in the context of the group, including those related to power, privilege, and oppression, like microaggressions. Left unaddressed, microaggressions have negative impacts on the health and well-being of the targets, perpetuate systemic inequity, and present a particularly destructive form in rupture to the group. The objective of this practice review is to help prepare group therapists to address the cultural ruptures known as microaggressions. Method: We first briefly review the literature on microaggressions, including those that occur in individual and group psychotherapy, to highlight the importance of addressing microaggressions when they occur. Next, we review the literature related to multicultural competence, multicultural orientation, difficult dialogues, and bystander intervention to suggest practice recommendations for addressing microaggressions in group therapy at the therapist and group levels. We also present a case example to illustrate these recommendations in practice. Results: Our practice recommendations highlight actionable ways for group therapists to proactively prepare to address microaggressions both before and outside of the group and in the here-and-now. Conclusions: Microaggressions are likely to occur in the social microcosm of the group and addressing microaggressions in groups is essential. Group leaders can proactively prepare themselves and the group to address microaggressions as they occur to minimize harm to the targets and the group-as-a-whole. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved) Highlights and Implications—•Microaggressions, or subtle discriminatory slights that perpetuate inequality, are likely to emerge in the context of the social microcosm of group therapy, as they have been found to in individual therapy. •Microaggressions present challenging cultural ruptures in group therapy, but training and preparation may help the therapist and group successfully negotiate these ruptures. •Therapists can develop multicultural competencies and espouse a multicultural orientation (MCO) to effectively identify and address microaggressions in the context of the group, including through formal trainings. •At the group level, the group can also set norms that encourage and support difficult cultural dialogues, develop a group MCO (i.e., their cultural humility, and willingness and comfort in addressing cultural issues, like those presented by microaggressions), develop capacities for bystander intervention, and create corrective emotional experiences in response to cultural ruptures. •Additional empirical research is needed on microaggressions in group therapy, as well as the preparation of the therapist and group to successfully negotiate these cultural ruptures as they occur. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved)

Cultural ruptures: Addressing microaggressions in group therapy

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