Social justice informed psychotherapy and people living with HIV

Abstract

This article examines the intersectional inequalities experienced by people living with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) (PLWH) and explores how social justice principles can be integrated into psychotherapy to address these challenges. Drawing on the concept of epistemic justice, the article emphasises the importance of recognising the individuality of each PLWH, acknowledging their unique experiences shaped by factors such as race, gender, sexuality, and socioeconomic status. The article advocates for the use of intersectionality as a tool for conceptualising clients’ experiences, critically reflecting and mitigating the relational dynamics. In addition, this article recommends the use of a pluralistic approach when working with HIV-positive clients, encouraging pluralism and diversity in the therapeutic process towards changes. This article introduces a social justice framework tailored to psychotherapy with HIV-positive clients, calling for a broader reconsideration of the implicit biases present within the discipline. It aims to inspire greater effort in navigating the tension between therapists’ self-interest and accommodating clients’ needs.