When therapists avoid the topic of racism

By Nickolas Kouravanas

How does worldview influences therapists?

Why might some people of color be hesitant to discuss interracial conflicts?

How might therapist’s communication style impact clients of color?

Sometimes, some therapists try to avoid the topic of racism by using other group differences to shift the dialogue… whether consciously or unconsciously, they try to minimize or avoid considering race as a powerful variable in the therapeutic process…  Some therapists use the statement “there is only one race, the human race”, and as a result they dilute the importance of race and on the other hand they shift the dialogue to discussions of other group differences such as gender, sexual orientation, disability, class status, and they equate race as just one of these variables.

 

The problem is that therapists occupy a higher-status and role and they are clearly in a position of authority and control. They sometimes might determine the content of the session, the books to read and they evaluate in a judgmental way the progress of their clients. It happens regularly, the therapist to be uncomfortable with open discussions of race because of the embedded or nested emotions that s/he has. Though, we expect from therapists to have knowledge, wisdom, and experience beyond that of their studies, we don’t usually find any of these virtues in several of them.

 

So, we see cases when the therapist tries to explain his or her opinion but s/he should not press anyone to accept it, and it’s always better not insist on the topic by showing strong dissatisfaction… What is important to remember is that counseling and psychotherapy have done great harm to culturally diverse groups by invalidating their life experiences, by defining their cultural values or differences as deviant and pathological, by denying them culturally appropriate care, and by imposing the values of a dominant culture upon them. Also, what is important to become understandable is that the majority of the people and especially those who hold power and influence of imposing their views to others, have a little understanding of their prejudices, stereotypes, bias and/or their racism.

Two basic questions that can help us perceive the issue better are the following: what is a worldview? How does therapist’s worldview influence how s/he relates to other people?

First and foremost, we need to know that the group that owns history possesses the power to impose its worldview or reality upon less powerful groups. As such, if one’s reality or truth does not correspond with those in power, unintentional oppression may be the result. So, it is important for counselors and therapists to consider the belief systems, the values, and the healing practices of various minorities in their assessment, diagnosis, and treatment activities. Worldview of diverse populations means not only acquiring knowledge of cultural values and differences, but also being aware of the sociopolitical experiences of culturally diverse groups in a monocultural society. This perspective means the ability to empathize with the pain, anguish, mistrust, and sense of betrayal suffered by persons of color, women, gays, and other marginalized groups.

 

It is vital to understand that as therapists we cannot expect to encounter only people who share our cultural backgrounds and personal beliefs regardless the geographical location. There are, actually so many forms of human diversity such as gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, religion, race, ethnicity, mental and physical ability, age etc. All those are experiences and/or expressions of culture and should be respected from everyone and since they are different for each and every person, they should not be imposed to others.

 

 People of color usually become very wary and hesitant to discuss interracial conflicts and/or interethnic – interracial misunderstandings for fear that such problems may be used by those in power to assuage their own guilt feelings and excuse their own racism!

We should’ t   also, forget that people of color are socialized into the dominant values and beliefs of the larger society. As a result, they may inherit perceptions and beliefs about other racial and/or ethnic minority groups. In this case, the biases and the stereotypes held about other groups of color may not be all that different from those held by White people. There is no racial/ethnic group which is immune from

inheriting biased beliefs, misinformation, and stereotypes of other groups. That’ s why, stereotypes held by socially marginalized group members. 

 

Communication style differences displayed by therapists could impact the expectations or responsiveness of clients from different backgrounds. We have to keep in mind that, therapists need to be aware of their verbal and nonverbal styles and to determine how they may either facilitate or act as a barrier to the formation of a therapeutic alliance. When the counselor is White and the client is a person of color, the power relationship is congruent with historical and sociopolitical racial roles and structures in our society. The roles of colonizer-colonized, master-slave, and oppressor-oppressed have defined relationships of who are leaders and followers, who is superior and inferior, and who is given higher or lower status. Counselors and therapists of color may also misuse the power reversal to harm or to deny appropriate help to their White clients. Don’t forget that racism has no color, nationality, sexual orientation, religion etc., but it has a cost for everyone!

 

Literature

Sue, D.W. & Sue, D. (2013). Counseling the culturally diverse. Theory and practice. (6th edit.). New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons.

 

Sue, D.W. & Sue, D. (2016). Counseling the culturally diverse. Theory and practice. (7th edit.). New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons.