The Neoliberal Story of the Self and Counseling

Abstract

Epistemology and methodology in psychological research may be affected by the reflections of the current period. The sociopolitical plane of neoliberalism has revealed a new psychic narrative. In line with this narrative, the neoliberal system has reconfigured the knowledge and discourse about the self. In this study, the reflections of neoliberal policies on the field of psychology and more specifically on counseling are discussed. When the literature is examined, the themes of the subject as the practice of micro governmentality, the internalized discipline as the form of micro governmentality, and the marketing of psychology as well as new forms of individuality through various methods are stressed. In addition, the way of reconfigurations of the self in the neoliberal system, and the cultivation of emotions and internal discipline in line with micro-governmentality practices were discussed. In counseling, the necessity of integrating the individual agency, positivity, strength-based intervention with the social justice and advocacy paradigm is highlighted. Furthermore, in a therapeutic relationship, the emphasis is placed on the motivation of liberating the self from neoliberal pressure as well as improving well-being in strength-based interventions.

Keywords

• Self
• Emotions
• Neoliberalism
• Psychological Counseling

Benliğin Neoliberal Öyküsü ve Psikolojik Danışma

Öz

Psikolojide neyin bilgi değeri taşıdığı ve ne tür konuların araştırılabileceği, içinde bulunulan dönemin yansımalarından etkilenebilmektedir. Neoliberalizmin sosyopolitik düzlemi yeni bir psişe anlatısı ortaya koymuştur. Bu psişe anlatımı doğrultusunda, neoliberal sistem benliğe yönelik bilgiyi ve öyküyü yeniden yapılandırmıştır. Bu çalışmada, neoliberal politikaların psikoloji ve daha özelde de psikolojik danışma alanında yansımaları tartışılmıştır. İlgili yazın incelendiğinde mikro tahakküm alanı olarak birey/ özne, mikro tahakküm biçimi olarak içselleştirilmiş disiplin ve psikolojinin çeşitli yöntemlerle piyasalaşması ya da bireyliğin piyasalaştırılması temaları üzerinde durulmuştur. Ayrıca neoliberal sistemde benliğin yeniden yapılandırılma biçimi incelenmiş, İçsel disipline etme sürecinde benliğe ve duygulara değinilmiştir. Psikolojik danışma alanında bireyin özerkliği ve pozitif gelişiminin sosyal adalet paradigmasıyla bütünleştirilmesinin gereğine vurgu yapılmıştır. Neoliberalizm bağlamındaki eleştirel yazın çerçevesinde oluşturulan bu temaların psikolojik danışma alanına olası yansımaları ele alınmış, sosyal adalet paradigması çerçevesinde psikolojik danışma alanına yönelik önerilere dikkat çekilmiştir. Güçlülük temelli müdahalelerde, iyi oluşun yanında benliğe yönelik neoliberal baskıdan özgürleşme vurgusu yapılmıştır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Benlik
• Duygular
• Neoliberalizm
• Psikolojik danışma

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