is counselling a ‘woke’ profession?

Is counselling a ‘woke’ profession? Some people think so, while others don’t. But what’s the real deal?

How does being ‘woke’ compare to the goal of counsellors to have a diverse group of people in their profession? Are enough steps being taken, especially in the UK by organizations like the BACP, to get more people from different backgrounds to become counsellors?

Let’s take a closer look. It’s a good time to do so, since politicians and certain groups are arguing loudly for and against initiatives that are seen as following a ‘woke agenda’.

The term ‘woke’ is a bit tricky, often used wrongly. This leads to different interpretations. In its original meaning, it means being aware of social injustices and fighting for equality, which is something values in the counselling profession support. Counselling aims to promote inclusivity, understanding, and empathy, all of which might be seen as ‘woke’ by people who value what they see as progressive change, but dismissed by critics who think the term is just a way of being politically correct and rigid.

Back in the 1990s, some people were predicting that society would become more strict again after it had become more liberal for a while. Others talked about a new wave of authoritarianism and populism coming along, as a way of pushing back against changes people thought were threatening. The counselling world knows diversity is key. Clients come from all walks of life, and it’s crucial that counselling services reflect that diversity to make sure everyone feels heard and understood.

Many training providers and professional groups like the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) have stressed the importance of inclusivity. They’ve also made efforts to help underrepresented groups get the support they need. Counselling training in the UK is expensive, though, which can make it tough for people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds to get involved. I was relying on food banks to get through my own training. It was a real struggle and definitely had an impact on my finances, as well as my physical and mental health.

Organisations are trying to make counselling a more accessible career option in communities that haven’t had much exposure to it before. They’re focusing on training counsellors to understand how systemic inequalities, privilege, and unconscious bias affect people’s lives. This aligns with the idea of being ‘woke’ in its original sense. Training programs are now including modules on intersectionality (the way different social factors like class, sexuality, and disability can overlap) and how structural inequalities can affect mental health. 

There are still some challenges. While representation is improving, the counselling profession remains largely white, middle class, and neurotypical in the UK. High training costs, unpaid placements, and the need for flexible work to balance studies can make it hard for many people to get involved. There’s ongoing debate about whether enough is being done to address implicit biases in recruitment and client referrals.

When it comes to counselling, ‘woke values’ – if that’s what people call them – empower individuals and challenge societal inequalities that affect mental health. But what does it mean to be ‘woke’ in the context of counselling? Well, it does depends on how you define it – encouraging critical thinking and inclusivity, or divisive and ideological.

If we’re truly wanting to make counselling accessible to everyone, we need to make some very big changes. First, we need to address the economic barriers that prevent people from getting trained as counsellors. Second, we need to make sure that there are more diverse people in leadership roles – and, third, we need to keep challenging the systemic biases that exist in both the counselling profession and society as a whole.

My own experience to date has been a mixed bag. It’s an accepting profession overall. I’ve never yet had to enter into battles I wouldn’t and never do want foisted on me in relation to my sexuality or gender identity. I have encountered some difficulties when it comes to being auDHD, though, in terms of people in my profession talking the talk but not walking the walk: promising understanding but failing on consistent implementation and making adaptive changes.

I no longer get apologetic since diagnosis of where I’m at due to the wiring of my brain, but the fact that I’ve often felt the old urge to say sorry, when something needs changing to work for me, has led to many reflections and the conclusion that there are organisations and individuals in my profession who want to do the right thing but don’t get it done or recognise when they need to do it.

The ‘othering’ that is inadvertently and unconsciously applied can lead to counsellors who are not of the majority template feeling more comfortable in private practice than working within organisations. There are benefits to both ways of working, but if one involves daily difficulties the other does not, it makes sense to focus on where you can best do the work you are wanting to get done.

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