An Assessment-Based Approach to Understanding Intersectional Privilege

Awareness of intersectional privilege is a theme woven throughout the Multicultural and Social Justice Counseling Competencies (MSJCC). However, a paucity of resources exists to guide counselor educators and supervisors in helping counselors-in-training (CITs) examine personal positions of privilege embedded within the MSJCC framework. The Intersectional Privilege Screening Inventory (IPSI) is among the first instruments yielding psychometrically valid scores to assess intersectional privilege as a training tool for CITs. We urge counselor educators and supervisors to employ the IPSI to facilitate CIT growth and development in multicultural and social justice counseling. A brief review of the literature on intersectionality, privilege, and intersectional privilege is presented as a foundational context for the broader discussion of the IPSI. We then describe a conceptual approach for using the IPSI in CIT training and development followed by case examples highlighting the IPSI's utility. We conclude with implications for counselor education and supervision.