Black Male Therapists are in high demand given the shortage of Black therapists. Black men make up only 2% of the mental health workforce, and Black women make up less than 5% – Black people need Black therapists! In this article, we offer 3 points that show how to be a good therapist for Black men: 1) explore your own biases, 2) understand intersectionality, and 3) know when to refer out.
Explore biases: Black Male Therapists should self-reflect and become aware of their own biases that might impact Black male clients. Black men we see in therapy may be at very different stages of life. They’re around 20 years old with no experience to a 90-year-old who has been through it all! Black therapists must understand the pressures Black males face from living in a racist society. They need to know what issues affect Black men so they can help them better navigate those challenges.
Intersectionality: One way for therapists to understand how race impacts mental health is by learning about interlocking systems of oppression – this concept is known as intersectionality. Intersectionality involves understanding the overlapping effects between racism and sexism, which create additional barriers or threats to Black men.
For example, Black male therapists should recognize how sexism and racism impact Black boys in schools and the criminal justice system – this understanding can help them be better equipped to assist Black males who have been incarcerated or placed under excessive scrutiny because of their race.
Referring out: Black male therapists should also recognize the Black Feminist Therapy approach, a therapeutic practice that acknowledges and works to address issues of power, privilege, oppression, and social justice. Black feminist therapy was created by Black female psychologists who wanted to develop an alternative treatment for Black women in their communities. This type of treatment focuses on helping Black men explore how they can be better allies with Black women and assist them in utilizing strategies such as self-care, so they have more energy for these types of efforts.
For instance, if a therapist wants to establish trust with their clients, they must find ways to build rapport by understanding how racism has impacted them. For example, Black Male Therapists could work alongside Black women psychologists in their communities to gain this trust.
Conclusion: Black male therapists are vital in the community, mainly alongside black female psychologists. They have an integral role in being good allies and building trust within communities that have been affected by oppression/racism.
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