Although the topic of race has maintained a stronghold over every facet of our daily lives, it comes as no surprise that there are some instances in which the concept becomes questioned further when it comes to seeking out Mental Health Services. As a society, we’ve come rather far in the name of denouncing segregation. However, it hasn’t shied away from the curiosity of whether a Black person’s purview of the world around them is a stark difference from their White counterparts. Although we’d like to think that much has changed in the way that we are viewed based on race alone, it truthfully has not. As we’ve witnessed during the Black Lives Matter Movement which should’ve been highlighted as a pivotal moment for the country and opportunity for change, it was utilized as more of a scapegoat for focusing on racism to briefly appease its targeted audience. Only to cease in conversation the instant the topic was shifted away from it just as quickly. So it’s safe to say that there remain instances that occur in our daily lives that remain specific to each individual’s societal acceptance. In this case, it doesn’t matter how many ways anyone tries to twist it, it does matter who you surround yourself with and whether that circle is capable of fully comprehending the nuance that comes with being a Black person. Of course, this typically spans for all marginalized communities, but this is the one we’re focusing on for this discourse because there is a peculiarity surrounding the Black experience that does differ from the rest. 

Truth be told, anytime I had the misfortune of experiencing racism in life, I have not felt compelled to share with my White friends because there is a deep seated belief that they simply won’t get it. Yet, I still tried once and it was complex because this individual didn’t know how to react. Not only was my expressed grievance initially met with silence it was eventually followed up with the acknowledgement that they couldn’t relate but they were nonetheless apologetic about what happened. When in reality, it didn’t matter much about what they had to say but whether the space was safe enough to simply be heard and seen in that moment, but it didn’t feel that way. Instead, it was clear that it made them uncomfortable. Whereas, when I've discussed the same issues with Black friends they get it right away and my feelings are validated. Thus, sure, I would find it difficult to express myself with a White therapist. Unless, they had been willing to do the work themselves to research and gain some understanding about the Black experience firsthand before attempting to dive into my reality and leave their prejudice at the door. Even more so, as a Black Woman. Considering to some degree it will still differ no matter what and goes deeper than race alone sometimes. Now, this isn’t meant to discredit a White therapist’s ability to support their Black clients. As a matter of fact, it should be encouraged because it would help them better understand, but who wants to go into a therapy session and teach someone about something they should be willing to obtain and seek out knowledge on for themselves as a licensed mental health professional? It’s the equivalent of witnessing the violence perpetuated against Black people and then turning to the same group and asking how they can be supported? Uhm, maybe in the same way animals are instantly seen as a valuable life when they’re mistreated because Black people’s lives matter just as much when their lives are consistently at risk for simply existing. 

Now you might be wondering:

Well, it’s simple, if you want someone who can relate to your experience why not just go to a Black therapist? 

The most common obstacle working against Black communities is accessibility and the data speaks for itself. Currently, data from the American Psychiatric Association (APA) shows that only 2 percent of the estimated 41,000 psychiatrists in the U.S. are Black and just 4 percent of psychologists are Black. Although that may be the case, there is still an intrigue in the concept of Black people seeking out a White therapist. Seeing as the relationship between patient and therapist is a profoundly personal one, it would require them to reflect the ability to place their bias to the side when dealing with Black patients. However, in a 2016 study it showed that many times bias plays an essential role in whether a Black client makes it past the initial scheduling phase when looking into a White therapist’s services. 

The study was conducted in 2016 in New York. Researchers hired actors to record voice messages for over 600 therapists and in each message, they read scripts about depression, indicating they had insurance and would like to make an appointment. The names varied in the scripts in which more common names that are acquainted with White people versus those that would be assumed to correlate with Black people appeared to get more calls in return to schedule appointments. This realization and confirmation came a week later following the initiation of the study. So again, it begs the question, why do Black people continue to see White therapists? Although therapists are required to leave their bias at the door when taking on clients, there’s the harsh reality that it is still prominent and part of the process nonetheless. There is indication that part of the reason for the discrimination could be due in part to White providers’ inability to care about an individual who is different from them. This is not only evident throughout Mental Health Services, but we also witness it regularly from Healthcare Providers just the same. In which, they’ve been taught that Black people have a higher tolerance for pain which has led to many circumstances in which a life is lost due to gross negligence. So it comes as no surprise that the same issue would be evident when looking for help with Mental Health. Even when the writing's on the wall, our reality is still questioned by those who do not have firsthand experience of it but have a wealth of educational content in the form of books and even a simple google search at the tip of their fingers to at least grasp comprehension.

This knowledge will likely not sway Black people from seeing White therapists and it isn’t meant to, but more so help bring to light the painstaking existence of bias and discrimination that still exists within Mental Health Services. While also searching for some understanding as to why Black people would feel so inclined to attempt a connection with a demographic who is not accustomed to viewing their hardships as cumbersome and at times life threatening as they truly are and can be. Therefore, it can boil down to encouraging more Black people to pursue professional careers as licensed therapists, psychologists and the like. While also hoping that White therapists will do their due diligence in gaining more knowledge of the Black experience in order to show up for their clients in ways that will not cause further detrimental harm to their psyche.