White Privilege, Social Justice, and Existential Psychology

Abstract

White privilege is a given in contemporary society with destructive social and personal implications, including its relevance for access to meaning and freedom from meaning frustration. These implications are relevant to social justice work that therapists engage in outside of the therapy room as well as dynamics that emerge within the psychotherapy process. Existential psychology is committed to the dignity of all people and helping people enhance their personal freedom. Furthermore, one’s freedom is necessarily bound to the freedom of others. Therefore, existential therapists striving to live their values authentically must be committed to social justice both inside the consulting room and in society in general. Social justice work can increase meaning in life through engaging in meaningful work (i.e., dismantling White supremacy and White privilege) and tearing down barriers to meaning access.