6 | Using Inclusive Language in the Clinic

Using Inclusive Language in the Clinic

As a clinician, you're probably used to speaking or writing in a particular way. It's helpful to evaluate your language periodically to make sure you're choosing words and phrases that create a welcoming and inclusive environment. While I know most of us have good intentions, we also have a lot of room for improvement (and I include myself here!).

Here are a few things to consider in your written language:

• List your pronouns on your website, in your bio, and in other marketing/promotional materials
  
• Leave blanks for clients to indicate sex and gender on your forms, rather than providing binary choices
  
• Ask clients which pronouns they use on your intake form or at the beginning of your visit
  
• In the "Family History" section of your intake forms, ask clients to list family members and relevant illnesses or conditions rather than specifying "mother" "father" etc.
•  Use parent(s) or guardian(s) rather than mother/father; do not assume parents are married
  
• Use partner/spouse rather than husband/wife; do not assume people have only one partner or spouse
  
• Check your intake forms for questions about reproductive organs; ask the same questions to all clients. Put a "not applicable" box for people to check if relevant. 

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Here are some considerations for spoken language:

• "Died from suicide" rather than "committed suicide"
• "Person with diabetes" rather than "diabetic" (same applies for other conditions: alcoholic, etc.)
• "Older adults" rather than "elderly"
• "Under-resourced" rather than "inner city"
• "Neighborhood with high poverty rates" rather than "disadvantaged"
• "They" rather than "he/she" if gender unknown
• "Hey y'all" or "Hey folks" rather than "Hey guys" (or, à la the Sleep with Me podcast, “Ladies, gentlemen, and friends beyond the binary”)
• "Bananas" or "wild" rather than "crazy" or "insane"
• "Not cool" rather than "lame"
• "The public" rather than "citizens" or "Americans" [situational]
• "Different sex" rather than "opposite sex"

• "Pregnant person" or "person who is nursing" rather than "pregnant mother" or "nursing mother”

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Resources for Inclusive Language

• Northwestern University Counseling Inclusive Language Guide
• An Incomplete Guide to Inclusive Language for Startups and Tech from Buffer
• 18F Inclusive Language Content Guide
  
• Culturally Responsive Evaluation and Treatment Planning
  
• Focus on Forms and Policy: Creating an Inclusive Environment for LGBT Patients
  
• The Racist Origins of Seven Common Phrases
  
• Fat Phobia and Its Racist Past and Present episode of the ShortWave podcast (not specific to inclusive language, but speaks to BMI and how we view/talk about healthy weights - more on this later)

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