By Jessica Stewart, LPC
As therapists, we’re trained to address some of the most difficult, complex, and deeply personal issues our clients face. But when it comes to talking about racism, many of us hesitate or even avoid it altogether. And yet, race-based traumatic stress (RBTS) can be one of the most profound sources of distress for our clients.
So why is it that we shy away from these conversations? Let’s explore four common reasons—and why it’s so important to push past them.
1. Fear of Saying the Wrong Thing
It’s a fear I hear in nearly every training I do: “What if I say the wrong thing and make it worse?” One participant, a well-seasoned therapist, shared that she often stays silent when clients bring up race, afraid she might misstep or say something unintentionally harmful. Others nodded along, admitting that this fear of fumbling through a delicate conversation often leads them to avoid the topic entirely.
Sound familiar? If so, you’re not alone. This fear is real, and it comes from a good place—wanting to protect our clients. But here’s the truth: Avoiding the conversation doesn’t protect anyone. In fact, it can do more harm by sending the message that racism—and its painful impact—aren’t worthy of discussion in the therapy room. Our clients need to know that we’re willing to sit with them in the discomfort, to explore these difficult topics together, even if we’re not perfect at it.
It’s not about always having the right words; it’s about creating a safe space where those conversations can happen.
2. Lack of Training
One of the most significant barriers therapists face when discussing racism in therapy is a lack of training. Historically, our field was built upon frameworks and interventions designed from a majority culture perspective—largely informed by a white, Eurocentric lens. This isn’t a critique of the field’s origins, but rather an acknowledgment of its limitations. For many BIPOC therapists and students, the lack of representation in curricula, theories, and interventions can be isolating.
Consider the experience of BIPOC students in counseling programs: often, they find themselves learning interventions that were never designed with their communities in mind. Many leave their schooling feeling unheard, unsupported, and unprepared to address the complex needs of their clients who face racism and marginalization. This disconnect between what is taught and what is needed in practice only deepens the challenge of talking about racism in the therapy space.
The American Psychological Association (APA) even issued a public apology in 2021, acknowledging its long history of racism and how psychology as a discipline has historically contributed to systemic oppression. While this was a step forward, it serves as a reminder of how deeply entrenched these issues are in our professional landscape.
But progress is happening, thanks to the incredible work of therapists and scholars who are pushing to make the field more inclusive and anti-oppressive. Visionaries like Dr. Thema Bryant, Dr. Kenneth Hardy, and Dr. Joy DeGruy have done transformative work to center the experiences of marginalized communities in mental health spaces. They are showing us how to break away from traditional, outdated frameworks and integrate more culturally responsive and socially just practices into our work.
It’s important to remember that seeking out additional training and continuing education is not only a professional obligation but also a path toward bridging this gap. We may not have received the tools we needed in our formal education, but we can seek them out now to become better equipped to serve our clients, especially those from marginalized backgrounds.
The heart of Dr. Kenneth Hardy's work names, that if we are not talking about race and racism in therapy, then we are complicit in the oppression that many of our clients are experiencing. Culturally responsive training isn’t just an option, it’s an ethical obligation for mental health professionals.
3. Perceived Irrelevance to the Client’s Issues
Some therapists assume that if their client doesn’t explicitly mention race or racism, it’s not relevant to their treatment. But the truth is, race can be a silent factor affecting everything from mood to self-esteem to physical health. Just because a client hasn’t brought it up doesn’t mean it isn’t playing a significant role in their life. We need to recognize the pervasive impact of racism, even when it’s not the presenting issue.
4. Discomfort with Our Privilege
If we haven’t personally experienced racial oppression, it can be hard to understand the full impact of racism—and that can make us uncomfortable. Some therapists may feel guilty or unsure about how to address these issues without overstepping or minimizing their clients’ experiences. This is where consultation and community come in. We don’t have to do this alone. By engaging with peers, mentors, and experts in race-based trauma, we can navigate these conversations with more confidence and empathy.
Let’s Learn Together
It’s time to stop avoiding these critical conversations and start equipping ourselves with the tools to handle them effectively. I invite you to join me for my upcoming CE workshop, "Uncovering Hidden Scars: Therapeutic Approaches to Race-Based Trauma Stress," where we’ll dive deep into race-based traumatic stress (RBTS), how to differentiate it from PTSD, and therapeutic models that specifically address racism-related trauma.
This isn’t just about gaining new skills—it’s about coming together as a community of therapists who are committed to anti-oppressive, inclusive practices. Together, we can make a meaningful difference in our clients' lives.
Let’s do this work together. Register for the workshop now! [Link to registration]
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