As a person of color (POC), how can I bring up race-related issues that affect me to a white therapist, when I don’t know if they are racist?
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I think this is likely a fear for lots of people as it can be tough to find a therapist in your area who takes your insurance, is within your price range, and is also a POC. However, I think you have to go into a therapy session assuming the best intent of your therapist first. Any therapist should be constantly doing their own personal work to recognize and address their biases and if something does arise within them, they should be willing to work to address it or refer you to someone who can adequately and respectfully support you. With that being said, go into your sessions and trust your intuition. While it can take some time to feel comfortable with a therapist, take stock of how they create a safe space for you. Do you feel heard during your session and do you feel like you can speak about issues surrounding race and culture without judgment while receiving feedback that rings true for you? And if you do not feel safe in that space, it is ok to seek out someone new. Do not stay with a therapist for fear of having to “shop around” to find a new one. You deserve a comfortable and supportive space to care for yourself and your mental health.
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