Intersectionality: Bridging the Gap Between Race and Therapy
Written by Elbert Hawkins, III Ph.D., LCMHC, NCC
Often, when I think of an intersection, I envision intertwining and connected roads that seamlessly shape a journey. Similarly, the idea of an intersection, when used in the context of people, specifically African Americans, our human existence, and shared experiences, illustrates nuance, varied identities, advocacy, understanding, and collectivism. As an African American, cisgender man, Christian, clinical therapist, and educator, I must understand “who I am and whose I am,” if I am to help meet the mental health and wellness needs of my clients. Also, I must understand the idea of privilege, cultural and societal advantages, oppression, and the use of power, in relation to my identities and position as a therapist. My understanding of personal intersections shapes my clinical work. It helps me close the gap between myself and others, especially people from marginalized populations who find therapy challenging to engage in and understand.
Kimberlé Crenshaw, a researcher and scholar, introduced the concept of intersectionality in the late 1980s. She argued that contemporary feminist and antiracist scholarship failed to acknowledge the inequalities and inequities in structured systems, which pushed marginalized people further to the sidelines. In theory and practice, the idea of intersectionality is also the makeup of an individual’s identity (e.g., race, gender, culture, etc.) and how they shape and influence their positionality and surroundings. The term holds significant meaning within many African American communities, particularly among African American women, who have learned to take up space and develop a better understanding of who they truly are. Additionally, through its meaning, African Americans who understand the idea of privilege, cultural and societal advantages, power structures, and oppression have been enabled to center their collective resilience, personhood, and, yes, their mental health and wellness.
Currently, many African Americans are taking their mental health and wellness seriously and seeking the professional help that is needed to thrive within a complex society. Although the literature, Office of Minority Health suggests that they, especially African American men, continue to trail their white counterparts when seeking mental health services, many are becoming educated about the benefits of therapy, making them more inclined to seek help.
To keep their momentum moving forward and to dismantle health care barriers within African American communities, particularly as it relates to therapy, I recommend the following to clinical therapist and counselors:
· Do not be afraid to acknowledge your identities and how they influence your practice and clinical work (i.e., routinely self-assess to identify biases and prejudices).
· Educate yourself on the idea of privilege, societal and cultural advantages, oppression, and power structures in relation to your positionality as a therapist.
· Seek to understand the history behind the social construction of race and gender.
· Take time to build a rapport and an alliance with African American clients and their community at large.
· Know that African Americans are not a monolithic people—therefore, intentionally personalize treatment plans, goals, and tasks based on their values and beliefs.
References:
PettyJohn, M. E., Tseng, C. F., & Blow, A. J. (2020). Therapeutic utility of discussing
therapist/client intersectionality in treatment: When and how? Family Process, 59(2), 313-327.
Thompson, V. L. S., Bazile, A., & Akbar, M. (2004). African Americans’ perceptions of
psychotherapy and psychotherapists. Professional Psychology: Research and practice, 35(1), 19.