Cultural Self 2: Gender and Sex, Disability, and Age

Counseling and psychotherapy in a diverse society necessitate awareness of social location. In this chapter, the topics include gender and sex, ability, and age. Gender is a social construction, while physical characteristics determine sex. Disabilities may indicate limitations in the environment or limitations possessed by an individual. The medical model of disability is prominent in psychology. Age may be defined physically, emotionally, and intellectually as well as subjectively. Together, these social locations play a role in the dynamic interplay between therapists and their clients.