Speaking the Unspoken

This book shows how silence around taboo topics can undermine therapy goals, as well as the teaching, practice, and profession of psychotherapy more broadly. It gives readers the skills they need to recognize and overcome barriers to speaking up.

The authors describe current and historical contexts that can make frank discussions of certain topics difficult, and present factors that play a role in self-silencing. Strategies including questions for reflection and group exercises can help readers build the courage to talk more openly, honestly, and directly in the therapy room and beyond. Chapters focus on a variety of topics that can be difficult to discuss openly including physical difference and disability, sexual orientation, sexual reactions to clients, therapist feelings of anger, oppression, white supremacy culture, religion, money and fees, and death and dying.

Speaking the Unspoken seeks to create dialogue, by encouraging the reader to deepen their understanding of these underexamined topics and improve their ability to help clients and strengthen the profession.