ABSTRACT
The practice of Socio-Emotional Relationship Therapy (SERT) and other socially responsible psychotherapy approaches requires an engaged, contextually conscious therapist who has learned to see what we have been socialized to not see. The work is inevitably personal as well as professional. This chapter guides readers in exploring contextual self-of-the-therapist issues endemic to socioculturally attuned practice. How to increase awareness of the effects of intersecting social locations and engage across differences and how these relate to courage to engage and therapist transparency are illustrated. The author offers activities to help increase contextual emotional awareness in social justice work; research on how to develop and embody a critical contextual lens and practice sociocultural attunement; and guidelines for using contextual self-of-the-therapist responsibly, compassionately, and effectively. Implications for couple and family therapy supervision and peer group accountability are highlighted.
