Psychodynamic Analysis of Racialized Interactions: The Get Out Case Study

ABSTRACT

Understanding unconscious dynamics of racism is essential to considering some of the challenges inherent in providing therapeutic services when differences abound. Beyond ideas of cultural competency, this paper theoretically explores the possible dynamic interactions that occur below the surface of conscious efforts to help. Using the film Get Out as a case study, concepts of consciousness, double-consciousness, projection, projective identification, envy, and splitting illustrate a rich and complex unconscious dyadic interchange. The implications for various aspects of therapeutic involvement – from therapy to supervision to agencies practices – are explored.

KEYWORDS:

• Racism
• psychodynamic theory
• clinical social work
• Get Out movie
• race

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Brian Rasmussen

Brian Rasmussen, PhD, RSW is Associate Professor in the School of Social Work at the University of British Columbia, Okanagan Campus, Kelowna, BC, Canada. His academic interest is in the application of psychodynamic theories to clinical social work practice. He maintains a private practice in clinical consultation and supervision.

Ann Marie Garran, PhD, is Associate Professor and Director of the MSW Program at the University of Connecticut. She writes about the dynamics of race, power and privilege. She is coauthor (with Joshua Miller) of Racism in the United States: Implications for the helping professions (NY: Springer).