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Guidance for the Black Community on Breaking Stigma and Seeking Help
By Jennifer Bailey, LCSW; LICSW-CP; RDT
After a pickup basketball game, a young Black man nervously admits to his friends: “I think I need therapy.” To his surprise, every one of them already has a therapist. That scene from Netflix’s Survival of the Thickest isn’t just fiction — it’s a vision of what normalized mental health conversations in the Black community could look like.
The scene has a group of Black men talking after playing a pick-up basketball game. One of the men, Kahlil, confides in his friends that he needs a therapist. Kahlil is nervous about sharing this with his friends and worried about what they may say. However, Kahlil learns all of his friends are in therapy!
Actress Taraji P. Henson talks openly about her struggles with mental health. In a short video clip, she even mentions how her father went to therapy as well, seeking support from a culturally competent therapist.
By seeing people of color in movies and on TV talking about mental health, perhaps it will take away shame and guilt about going to therapy.
In a time when racial trauma, isolation, and generational pain persist, therapy can be a path to healing for Black individuals. First, we must address the barriers that keep us from seeking it.
What Is Therapy?
The Cambridge Dictionary defines therapy as “a treatment that helps people feel better, grow stronger.” Therapy is a relationship. It’s your opportunity to talk about your thoughts, feelings, and experiences free of judgment with a trained professional. It’s a chance to discuss what has happened in your past, present, or what you would like to happen in the future.
Should I go to therapy?
Only you know the answer to that question. However, if you need guidance, take a moment and ask yourself these questions:
- Is something currently happening or has happened (in my past) negatively impacting my ability to function?
- Do I feel lost in a certain area of my life?
- Am I having trouble solving a specific problem or overcoming a hurdle?
- Do I feel like I have few or no one to talk to about stressors or frustrations?
Answering “yes” to any of these questions may indicate that it’s time to see a therapist.
How do I find a therapist?
Choosing your therapist means taking the time to do a little bit of searching and self-reflection. Different therapists specialize (or focus) on different things. For example, some therapists do trauma work, some work with veterans, others with kids and teens. Knowing what you want to focus on in therapy will help you in your journey to find a therapist.
Insurance
If you have it, your insurance company is a way to find a therapist. Insurance companies have a list of providers that they work with. Now, if you are alright with not using your insurance (to pay out of pocket), doing a Google search is also helpful.
A Google search is a good place to start. It can be helpful to read through therapists’ websites to learn what they offer. This route can also feel overwhelming, as it may feel like there are too many options. Another way to look for a therapist is through a therapy platform.
Therapy Platforms
Therapy platforms can match you to a therapist after answering some questions and creating a profile. They allow you to use your insurance as well, if you choose. Grow Therapy, Better Help, SonderMind, Talk Space, and Headway are just a few examples of therapy platforms.
The Importance of Cultural Competency
I strongly suggest you choose a culturally competent therapist, especially if you are a person of color. The National Associations of Cultural Competence defines cultural competence as “the ability of an individual to understand and respect values, attitudes, beliefs, and mores that differ across cultures, and to consider and respond appropriately to these differences in planning, implementing, and evaluating health education and promotion programs and interventions.”
Caroline M. Sanders is a licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPC) who provides individual therapy services. She recommends that “prior to treatment you can ask the clinician the following questions:
- What experiences do you have in working with people from my background?
- Can you describe your approach to understanding a client’s cultural background and how it might impact their experiences?
- What does it mean to you to provide culturally competent care?”
Words of Wisdom from Therapists of Color
Two therapists of color shared their insights and words of wisdom on the barriers that keep the black community from receiving mental health services, Caroline Sanders and Claude L King.
“You deserve to heal. Prioritizing your mental health is an important part of living well. It is one of the best gifts you can give to yourself and the people around you. I encourage you to reach out to a mental health professional to receive the help that you deserve,” said Caroline M. Sanders.
“Our community has carried generations of pain, pressure, and perseverance, and while that strength is admirable, it doesn’t mean you have to suffer in silence. Therapy isn’t about changing who you are. It’s about becoming more in tune with yourself and freeing yourself from the weight you were never meant to carry alone,” said Claude L. King, LCPC, a licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPC). “You are worthy of healing. You are worthy of peace. And you don’t have to walk the journey alone.”
Takeaways
- Ask yourself the questions mentioned earlier in the article to help you figure out if you should seek therapy.
- You can use Google, your insurance, and therapy platforms to help find a therapist. Consider what you want to accomplish in therapy and find a culturally competent therapist.
- Find healthy and productive ways to manage life, and know there is no shame in seeking support to help you navigate it.
Jennifer Bailey is a wife, mother of three, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), and a Registered Drama Therapist (RDT).
