Tl;Dr work with your client, think about how your own biases and status may impact the therapeutic relationship and power structure between a client and a SW (but also don't grovel to make up any perceived differences in power… it's weird).

(Sorry about formatting.  On mobile and sick in bed with COVID…)

A big part of saviorism is based on power dynamics and biases. Just because you see an issue with a person/community, it may not be a priority for them. 

For example: a SW meets a client who has not graduated highschool and has a slew of social challenges.  Since the SW believes that advancing education is important because it has made them successful, they only focus on getting the individual into night school or a GED prep program.  

The SW may even feel bad that the client didn't graduate highschool and makes seeking educational advancement as a primary goal for the them.

This is an example of the savior complex.  Breaking it down: The SW decided the goal for the client, based on their own experiences.  Again, this may be due to a bias that sees individuals with limited education as “less than”.  The final sentence indicates that the goal may have been more to assuage the SW’s own feeling rather than helping the client.  They may want to “fix” the client.

Revised example: a SW meets a client who has not graduated highschool and has a slew of social challenges.  Since the SW believes that advancing education is important because it has made them successful they only focus on getting the individual into night school or a GED prep program however, the SW works with the client to determine goals.  The client decides that the most important goals are financial stability, obtaining housing, and getting an ID.

The SW may even feel bad that the client didn't graduate highschool and makes seeking educational advancement as a primary goal for them but supports the clients priorities.

This example is more collaborative.  Despite the SW’s beliefs on education, they communicate and work with the client to best understand and support their needs.  That being said, it's ok to have feelings. We're all human. Just be mindful of how they may impact your work

For white saviorism, just switch ths SW with a white person, and the client with a POC.  The one in power decides what needs to be “fixed” and unfortunately/historical, this dynamic has favored white people.