This is the final article in a four-part series focusing on Relational-Cultural Theory (RCT). In this month’s column, we pull together many of the key terms and concepts associated with RCT that were described in previous columns. We will also direct attention to the ways RCT can enhance counselors’ understanding of relational, organizational and cultural transformation.
In the first article of this series, we addressed the history of RCT, described how it builds upon and expands the work of Carl Rogers and discussed the contributions of scholars who helped to develop the theory. Jean Baker Miller was one of the key persons who fostered the development of RCT. Her seminal work, Toward a New Psychology of Women, continues to have a transformative impact on the thinking of many RCT advocates and counselors in the field today. Having been translated into more than 20 languages, this book ultimately served as the foundation for the creation of new theories of development and counseling.
The influence of Miller and other RCT theorists has resulted in the recent publication of another RCT book by Christian Robb, This Changes Everything: The Relational Revolution in Psychology. One of the central points made throughout Robb’s book is the assertion that RCT represents “the first democratic psychology — that is, the first psychology of people who at last can realistically hope and learn to work with and love their political equals all their lives.”
Exploring differences in theories and ideology
Throughout subsequent articles in this series, we described the healing power of mutual empathy and how essential relational connections are to our psychological growth and emotional well-being. We also discussed another basic tenet of RCT: that optimal human development and emotional maturity emerge as we engage relationally with others over the life span. The process of human/relational development as viewed from an RCT perspective is very different than the traditional Western perspectives of healthy development that are reflected in most counseling theories.
While RCT posits that healthy psychological development is grounded in such concepts as mutual empathy and relational connections, Western ideology stresses that healthy people are those who become individuated, separated and independent from others. In critiquing these Western psychological concepts, RCT theorists note that the processes of individuation, separation and independence contribute to the drive for people (especially those in dominant social groups) to exert “power-over” dynamics in their interactions with others (especially those in marginalized groups).
The concepts of individuation, separation, independence and power-over dynamics have been further noted to be antithetical to the developmental experiences of women and people of color, as well as to members of professional counseling and psychology organizations (such as the American Counseling Association) who struggle daily with various forms of oppression and social exclusion. To bring this series full circle, we have provided a figure on “relational movement” (see graphic on left) to serve as a visual guide in presenting and organizing key terms and processes of RCT.
Sharing power with others
As an alternative to power-over relational constructs and patterns of development, RCT proposes ways people can realize new and untapped aspects of their own psychological health and well-being. This alternative perspective emphasizes the need to implement relational strategies that reflect intentional efforts to promote “power with” others in place of the traditional “power-over” dynamics that are an inherent part of our socialization processes. The notion of sharing power with others rather than imposing various forms of power-over dynamics in our personal and professional relationships necessitates the implementation of additional RCT concepts, including supported vulnerability and the need to demonstrate courage in and through our connections with others.
RCT posits that we are able to manifest increased levels of supported vulnerability and courage in and through our connections with others by making a commitment to exhibit mutual engagement with others. This is a process through which we develop increased relational capacities, competence and confidence. This is further enhanced when we consciously strive to face the challenges of living in an ever-changing, pluralistic society and an increasingly violent world by reflecting our commitment to mutual empathy, relational connectedness, sharing with and mutual engagement with others.
To realize the new forms of mental health and psychological development that RCT proponents suggest are possible, counselors need to make a genuine commitment to these concepts in both their personal and professional lives. For example, those of us who are authoring this series relate to ourselves and others not only as friends but in a number of professional contexts as well. This includes relating to ourselves and others as counselor educators, supervisors, mentors, counselors, social justice advocates, administrators and “pragmatic visionaries.” Each of these roles requires a unique set of relational skills that, ideally, communicate a genuine sense of respect for the dignity of our collective humanity and mutual growth.
The task of implementing RCT constructs in one’s personal and professional life is not always easy. It requires us to face our human imperfections and to overcome the barriers of living within the context of a racially stratified, socially exclusive and violent culture.
RCT scholars and advocates point out that many social, political and organizational factors in our contemporary society work to separate individuals, racial-ethnic groups, political parties, professional organizations, states (e.g., “red” and “blue” states) and nations from one another. One of Miller’s greatest hopes was that in naming and deconstructing such factors, mental health professionals could effect change that would bring about social justice in our world. From an RCT perspective, it is essential to understand the impact of the broad sociopolitical context of our lives and to keep this understanding central when considering the obstacles we all face in communicating mutual empathy, pursuing supported vulnerability and demonstrating courage in our personal and professional lives.
The current state of international relations, particularly the emotional and political fallout over the war in Iraq, often evokes a sense of hopelessness, disempowerment and distrust. This seemingly filters into many of our personal and professional relationships in one way or another. According to RCT, even the best relationships undergo inevitable periods of both connection and disconnection (see figure on previous page). Despite the inevitability of such disconnections, counselors are well positioned to implement relational strategies that can revolutionize the way we think about and respond to our clients, our professional organizational challenges and broader world events.
Promoting RCT
In the first article in this series, we made the point that RCT expands Carl Rogers’ notion of “unconditional positive regard.” We did so by first acknowledging that maintaining unconditional positive regard is often difficult to do in counseling relationships. RCT suggests that this is, in part, due to the inevitable and perhaps even natural disconnections that are manifested in our relationships with clients. To extend Rogers’ thinking about the disruptions that occur in counselors’ efforts to communicate unconditional regard in counseling, RCT suggests that it is the counselor’s role to “hold onto the possibility of reconnecting during periods of disconnection.” In doing so, counselors can evoke the relational resiliency and relational confidence that are necessary for the transformation of disconnections with clients.
Relational resiliency and confidence can be manifested in any number of contexts outside of counseling situations as well. To do this, people must be willing to engage in creative efforts to re-establish mutual empathy during times of relational disconnection, with the intent of moving back into connection with others (see figure). According to RCT, holding onto the hope that mutually empathic reconnections can occur even in the face of relational disconnections is one of the most challenging tasks of human development.
Many obstacles hinder our ability to realize mutual empathy, connection and relational growth. In the first column of this series, we reported on some of the ways ACA is working to overcome major obstacles to human development that are consistent with RCT. One specific point we highlighted was the ACA Governing Council’s formal endorsement of eight resolutions presented by Counselors for Social Justice in fall 2005. These resolutions are designed to illuminate the role counselors can play in eradicating various forms of sociopolitical oppression that perpetuate major forms of relational disconnection in our world. These resolutions focus on counselors’ responsibilities to address the problems of ageism, ableism, classism, heterosexism, racism, religious bigotry, war and violence.
This effort represents our professional organization’s attempt to promote human dignity and social inclusion by addressing obstacles to mutuality. In doing so, the leaders of ACA demonstrated a willingness to acknowledge the sociopolitical sources of disconnection that adversely impact the psychological health and well-being of millions of persons in our nation and around the world.
The organizational support demonstrated for these social justice counseling resolutions is consistent with another RCT concept discussed in a previous article. This concept relates to the need to create a “free space” in organizational and social-political settings. Free space is marked by situations where people are openly encouraged to communicate mutual empathy, supportive vulnerability and courage when relating to other members of the group or organization. The fundamental premise underlying creation of free space in groups, organizations and social institutions is that this action fosters mutual empathy, supported vulnerability and new forms of relational courage and competence, while also strengthening the healing potential of RCT precepts that promote greater levels of social inclusion, connectedness and individual and collective empowerment. These factors are vital in attaining increased levels of justice, peace and democracy in our professional organizations, communities and social institutions.
Our hope is that this series has provided a means for each of you to begin considering how the tenets of RCT can transform your lives and relationships. For more information on RCT, visit www.jbmti.org. To join in global efforts to eradicate humiliation and violence, visit www.humiliationstudies.org. Have a blessed and peace-filled holiday season.
Dana L. Comstock, a professor of counseling and chair of the Department of Counseling and Human Services at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, is the editor of Diversity and Development: Critical Contexts That Shape Our Lives and Relationships, the first RCT-based development text. She is also featured in How Connections Heal: Stories From Relational Cultural Therapy and the Complete Guide to Mental Health for Women. Direct comments or questions to dcomstock@stmarytx.edu. Judy Daniels (JDaniels@hawaii.edu) and Michael D’Andrea (Michael@hawaii.edu) are professors in the Department of Counselor Education at the University of Hawaii. Letters to the editor: ct@counseling.org