ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses research and theory relating to classism within counselling and psychotherapy. It considers ways in which counselling and psychotherapy can be more effectively utilised for all sections of society irrespective of class or socioeconomic status. Most counsellors are from middle class backgrounds, and there has been recognition since the 1960s that some within the counselling and psychotherapy field hold negative opinions of perceived ‘lower’ classes such as the poor. The issue of classism in counselling and psychotherapy has more recently been considered from the perspective of the clients themselves. J. Balmforth interviewed working class clients of middle class therapists and reported their feelings of discomfort, inferiority and shame during therapeutic sessions. There may be some benefit in attempting to match poor clients with therapists who have shared similar backgrounds in order to enhance the therapeutic relationship and as a consequence reduce dropout rates.
