A note about starting therapy as a Person of Color
Worried about starting therapy? There are definitely some reasons to be.
Many People of Color have experienced past trauma and gaslighting from therapists, counselors, educators that were all supposed to be support or mentors. Women have a history of being dismissed as hysterical, unwell, or “dramatic” when what they needed was serious psychological support and to be listened to. LGBTQ+ people have a history of being forced into unsafe and unsupportive “therapeutic” environments.
But. But but but. As a person who has been in and out of therapy, counseling, and hospitals for a very long time, I can say that I wholeheartedly endorse therapy IF the environment is safe and the human on the other side of the room treats you with respect.
Professional mental health support can be a beautiful, healing, transformative thing if you find the right outlet. Here are a few resources that might make you more comfortable with considering it.
Why therapy can be useful and important
Therapy for Black Girls podcast: “Your Questions About Therapy Answered”
Why Finding a Black Therapist Made All the Difference by René Brooks in Healthline
South Asians: Our silence about mental health is killing us by Sanjana Lakshmi in Wear Your Voice Mag
Why culture is important for Indigenous mental health by U Alberta School of Public Health
Sterling K Brown on mental health in the black community by Catalina Combs in Black Girl Nerds
Unharm Your Sons: A Therapist and Suicide Attempt Survivor’s Plea to Black Fathers About the Culture of Black Masculinity by Araya Baker in The Good Men Project
Please Don’t Forget About Your Mental Health While Fighting Racism by Alexis Jones in Women’s Health
How to find a safe space
Can't Afford Therapy? Here's How to Get Free or Reduced-Price Sessions With Licensed Therapists
Therapists for Women of Color and Queer People: How to Find One
Love this note from @justdavia about why POC therapists aren’t automatically safe spaces.
“In case you need the reminder... Don't get it twisted, my favorite therapist was a Black woman. I prefer to work with Black Christian women in therapy. HOWEVER, being Black + Woman + Christian does NOT mean we have the same values or attitudes about the world.” Read more in the link above.
And also this note from @ihategender about finding the right therapist for you.
“Still searching for a therapist? In celebration of #MentalHealthAwareness Month, I hope this thread is helpful. I receive lots of inquiries from folks searching for therapists––sometimes in crisis––so I’m sharing this out of respect for people’s time, since I don’t always have the capacity to respond right away.” Read more in the link above.