White Privilege and Clinical Social Work Practice: Reflections and Recommendations

Abstract

This exploratory study examined how seasoned White social workers grappled with the presence and effects of White privilege on their clinical practice. Data were collected in focus groups; findings were surfaced through thematic analysis. Five themes emerged: the role of engaging in continuous self-awareness in clinical practice; the complexity of using intersectionality to inform our work; the necessity of addressing White privilege in clinical conversations; the importance of creating strategies for use of power; and the process of engaging in life-long growth. These workers demonstrated awareness of, and accountability for, White privilege. Implications for progressive social work practice are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• clinical practice
• progressive social work
• racism
• White privilege

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors are grateful to the participants whose stories are told here. We would also like to thank Michael Melendez, PhD, Jessica Henderson Daniel, PhD, and Barbara Bond, EdD, for their wise suggestions on earlier drafts, and the faculty of the Simmons College Graduate School of Social Work for the support and mentoring. This research derived from a dissertation completed by Ashley Davis at Simmons College Graduate School of Social Work.