Society may have unconsciously taught us that therapy isn’t meant for Black and Brown women. This belief, often rooted in mistrust, keeps us from seeking the help we need to stay empowered. In this episode, I’ll explore the challenges we face when seeking mental health support.
Shownotes
The Dangers of Underrepresentation
- Even when we do seek help from a mental health professional, we might be told we’re just angry and need to control it better. But what they don’t see is the deep pain we’ve been holding onto, pain that’s causing anxiety in every little task.
- Or maybe we’re viewed as the strong ones in our families—everyone comes to us for help or advice. But who can we turn to for that same support without being told to just “suck it up”?
- Healing is a long game that takes consistency. If we don’t feel safe in a place to heal, it can keep us from going back. These are the challenges Black and Brown women face when trying to seek mental health support. I’m here to help you find the support you deserve, where you can feel safe and fully open up without judgment.
My Personal Experience with a Therapist
- Years ago, I had a Haitian woman therapist who was smart and driven. However, I couldn’t quite explain to her why I felt so tired and drained at the time. I felt invisible and unable to truly convey what was going on deep down inside.
- Have you ever felt this way? Trying to tell a therapist what’s going on, but the right words just aren’t coming out? It’s not just in your head, and you deserve to be seen by your therapist so you can release that chaos within.
Benefits of Having More Black and Brown Women Therapists
- We need more representation of Black and Brown therapists who understand us. What it’s like to carry the weight of the world on our shoulders. What it’s like to be strong all the time and feel like no one is in our corner.
- We need people who understand our culture, our identity, and our world as women of color. Without more representation of us, our community continues to suffer in unseen ways.
- Also, don’t think that healing has to come only from seeing a therapist. Some of the most profound healing moments I’ve witnessed have come from group or faith-based sessions. Connecting to a community that truly resonates with you can bring forth the deep healing you need in life.
“You deserve care and a therapist who sees you and doesn’t respond with, ‘Can you explain that again?’ All it takes to feel safe is that the person across from you gets you, and that they’ve walked in the same shoes you have before.” — Dr. Kathleen Estimé DNP, PMHNP-BC
Resources
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