“I feel as though I would not be able to empathize”: Intersectionality and Counselor Intergroup Anxiety

Authors

Krista M. Malott, Villanova UniversityFollow
Edward Wahesh, Villanova UniversityFollow
Tina Paone, Monmouth UniversityFollow
Amber S. Haley, Villanova UniversityFollow
Alexis McClatchy, Owen J. Roberts School DistrictFollow

Author ORCID Identifier

Krista M. Malott: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8936-6513

Edward Wahesh: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8652-569X

Author Biographies

Krista M. Malott, PhD, LPC, is professor in the Department of Education and Counseling at Villanova University. Her research interests include anti-bias counselor education practices, decolonizing counseling, and first-generation college students.

Edward Wahesh, PhD, ACS, NCC, is an associate professor in the Department of Education and Counseling at Villanova University. His research interests include substance misuse prevention, motivational interviewing, and counselor training and clinical supervision.

Tina R. Paone, PhD, LPC, RPT-S, is a professor in the Department of Educational Counseling and Leadership at Monmouth University. Her research interests include anti-racism pedagogy, multicultural counseling, and multicultural and social justice issues.

Amber S. Haley, PhD, is an assistant teaching professor and program director of the college admissions counseling certificate program in the Department of Education and Counseling at Villanova University. Her research interests include multicultural and social justice issues, intersectionality and healthy identity development, and counselor education and supervision competencies.

Alexis McClatchy, MS, is a school counselor at Owen J. Roberts School District. Her research interests include multicultural and social justice issues, and counselor education and supervision competencies.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.7290/tsc07foce

Abstract

Researchers applied a thematic analysis in this study to examine the nature of master-level counseling students’ (N = 19) intergroup anxiety (IA), a form of bias characterized by an anxious response to others based on negative views of that person’s identity (Stephan, 2014). Students cited stronger IA reactions toward persons with multiple identity traits (i.e., intersectionality). Traits chosen varied widely, some being dominant (e.g., White, male, able-bodied), and others, minoritized in nature (e.g., Black, Muslim, disabled). Thematic explanations for IA reactions varied, including a fear of client judgement, prior negative experiences with persons of certain traits, limited knowledge of clients’ experiences, and opposing views from certain clients. Participants expressed doubt that they would be able to connect with, or feel empathy for, clients of named intersectional traits. Findings suggest the salience of intersectionality and the importance of providing a more complex, nuanced, open, and adaptive curriculum and supervisory experience to meet students’ learning needs.

Public Significance Statement

This study explored a lesser examined form of bias in the field, intergroup anxiety (IA), addressing a gap in the literature through considering the role of both experience and intersectionality on that bias. Participants described the compounding impacts of intersectional identities, while giving myriad reasonings and experiences as explanation for such reactions. Findings suggest the need for educators and supervisors to be attentive to intersectionality and responsive according to students’ educational and supervisory needs.

Recommended Citation

Malott, Krista M.; Wahesh, Edward; Paone, Tina; Haley, Amber S.; and McClatchy, Alexis (2025) "“I feel as though I would not be able to empathize”: Intersectionality and Counselor Intergroup Anxiety," Teaching and Supervision in Counseling: Vol. 7 : Iss. 1 , Article 2.
https://doi.org/10.7290/tsc07foce
Available at: https://trace.tennessee.edu/tsc/vol7/iss1/2