Cognitive therapy and social power

This paper addresses the capacity of cognitive therapy to engage with issues of social power. Some indicators of ‘power-sensitised counselling’ are proposed and these are discussed with reference to cognitive therapy. ‘Power-sensitised counselling’ for the purposes of this paper is described as counselling that takes account of power differentials, both across society and within the counselling room. The paper opens a discussion about the potential developments of cognitive therapy that could facilitate an engagement with issues of social power. The significance of these issues for research into cognitive therapy is discussed.

Key words:

• cognitive therapy
• constructivism
• social power