2011 Society of Counseling Psychology Presidential Address: Exploring Privilege in Counseling Psychology: Shifting the Lens.

Within a system of societal inequities, privilege consists of unearned advantages that are conferred on individuals based on membership or assumed membership in a dominant group. This article describes the relationship between privilege and oppression, dimensions of privilege, characteristics of privilege, costs of privilege, and resistance to awareness of privilege. Understanding of privilege can enhance counseling psychology practice, research, training, and professional organizations. The article concludes with recommendations for exploring privilege and a vision for systemic change. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]