Why Black Women Therapists Are In Demand?

Across the nation, we continue to see the stigma and stereotypes of mental health being erased. Even within black communities and communities of color. However, finding the right therapist is essential. This includes their area of specialty but also their ethnicity, which is why black women therapists are more in demand than ever before.

Why Seek A Therapist Of Color?

Even the most well-intentioned, open-minded, and diversity-trained white therapist is likely to have subconscious bias. René Brookes shares a shining example in this Healthline article. Her last therapist indicated that she believed some of René’s problems stemmed from growing up in poverty. René is black, but she did not grow up in poverty.

But what if she had grown up in poverty? This therapist would not have had sufficient compassion.

Or what if you want to discuss racism in therapy?

Or things like familial addiction or incarceration? Will these be summed up as a stereotype?

Or will you just leave these tough topics off the table even though therapy is supposed to be a safe place to share?

Or worst of all, will you feel you need to code-switch when working with a white therapist?

For these reasons and more, as our community embraces therapy, we are actively seeking out ethnic minorities. Ideally, someone from the same ethnic background and culture. For immigrants, this often means an immigrant or a child of an immigrant. This is why black female therapists are more in demand than ever before

What Percentage Of Therapists Are Black?

The data is dated, with the most recent being from 2015 and 2016. Even then, the number of diverse ethnicities entering the therapy and psychology field was on the rise. Here’s a look:

• The psychology workforce was 88 percent white and 12 percent from ethnic groups.
• 32 percent of doctorates and 34 percent of early career psychologists were from ethnic groups.
• Overall, 86 percent of psychologists were white, 5 percent Asian, 5 percent Hispanic, 5 percent African American, and 1 percent multiracial or from other ethnic groups.

How To Find A Black Therapist Near Me?

With an increased demand for personalized health and wellness, you can search online for therapists that meet a variety of criteria. While a therapist’s ethnicity or how many generations they’ve been in the country was not always shared, it is of increasing priority. So, you can call your insurance provider and ask to have the search narrowed or you can perform an online search for “black therapist near me”. Not all black or ethnic therapists will populate, so browse online by photos too.

Where To Find A Black Therapist Online?

If you can’t find a therapist of color nearby in your area of specialty, consider virtual therapy. You can talk over the phone or video chat. This option may also be more convenient as it eliminates commute time and may be more affordable if you are paying out of pocket. Some of the top places to find black and diverse therapists online include:

• Therapy For Black Girls directory
• Zencare directory and therapy site
• Ayana Therapy director and therapy site
• Black Virtual Wellness Directory (BEAM)
• This list of the top virtual therapy websites

The last list breaks therapy needs down by a variety of demographics. Also, read this Essence article for tips on how to access discounted therapy with or without insurance.

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