Find A BIPOC Therapist
Truthfully, it can be challenging to find a therapist of color. Even in NYC.
There simply are far fewer BIPOC therapists overall. Though in recent years, there are far more joining the field.
Psychotherapy as a tradition and set of practices indeed has been shaped by individualism, Western European philosophies and educational systems. Such theories and lenses left unexamined as a result contribute to many descendants of collectivist cultures—including many immigrants and refugees—feeling misunderstood. Worse, unfortunately, over-pathologized.
“Broadly speaking, both psychoanalytic theorists and clinicians have been slow to examine how histories of race and colonial modernity implicitly frame their field’s evolution—its dominant paradigms and theoretical assumptions…”
—David L. Eng, PhD and Shinhee Han, PhD, Racial Melancolia, Racial Dissociation
However, the mental health field is slowly learning from mistakes. With educational institutions trying to interrogate systemic biases and blind spots, it will take time, commitment and much effort. For now, this is a work-in-progress, and needless to say shall remain so.
Largely, transgenerational stigmas and familial beliefs often restrict people of collectivist cultural backgrounds from seeking professional support. At times, economic factors, not understanding how to navigate the healthcare system and frustrations with insurance are also common obstacles. Minimizing and dismissing the need for help also are habits sometimes repeated across generations.
Quite often somatic symptoms in the form of shortness of breath, digestive issues, headaches, joint pain, and more, are only addressed through seeing a doctor. But, if symptoms do not meet medical criteria to warrant a diagnosis, unfortunately, they get ignored, disregarded and often remain untreated.
What’s more, the word psychosomatic has a bad rap.
Psyche, meaning mind or soul, fused with soma, meaning body, suggests some kind of connection between the two. Certainly for much of the history of Western medicine, the term psychosomatic has been used dismissively as imaginary or unreal, since bringing the mind or soul too close to the body has threatened legitimacy, as if unscientific.
Generally speaking, in many collectivist cultures somatic descriptions are often a way to express feelings. Understandably, sometimes unresolved trauma—or simply not feeling heard or understood in prior treatment—also contributes to distrust and avoidance of help-seeking for both medical and mental health.
Find a therapist who you connect with…
Therapists are trained to work with people overall from many walks of life, backgrounds and life experiences. Some clients understandably seek a match by race or ethnicity. Meanwhile, other folks purposefully don’t, preferring a therapist of a different racial/cultural background than their own. Each may have distinct reasons and rationales. Either way, there can be both benefits and drawbacks. What’s most important is to feel enough of a common world view, or shared values.
Common ground between you and your therapist can be a solid starting point. However, how you feel responded to by your therapist is crucial. What gives you the sense that you are both heard and understood? Or not? Are you honest with your therapist about such feelings? If not, what’s getting in the way?
Find Your Therapist
Psychotherapy approaches are wide ranging. With so many options, how do you find a therapist who is right for you?
You might hear that a friend really likes their therapist. Would your friend mind sharing their contact information?
Of course, a word of mouth recommendation is strong. However, you’ll also want to feel comfortable enough to speak candidly with your therapist about any issue. Asking your friend for referrals to a trusted colleague of their therapist eliminates any potential conflicts of interest.
You may be considering factors like cost, location, schedules etc… all important practical considerations. Since you will likely entrust your therapist with thoughts and issues that you may, or may not, discuss with anyone else in your life…
Who you select based on how you feel in their presence is so important.
Thema Bryant, PhD speaks to finding a therapist who uses an anti-racist stance
We need to call out our power inequality and oppression wherever it’s hiding to create sustainable change in society… compassion is rooted in the motivation to alleviate the suffering caused by all injustice… Fierce self-compassion will enable us to take responsibility and commit to doing things differently.
—Kristen Neff, PhD, author of Fierce Self-Compassion
What style would you like in a therapist?
In addition to training and background, therapists have different personalities, life experiences and more— informing distinct ways to practice.
Some therapists remain quiet and make infrequent observations and interpretations, attempting overall to provide a “blank slate.” Some may be more concrete with exercises and homework.
Others may engage in dialogue and inquiry. A more active therapist may offer thought-provoking feedback, or disclose about themselves depending on both therapeutic orientation and personal preferences.
Find a therapist who feels like a match
With so many considerations, it may take talking with a few potential therapists before you select one to establish a new therapeutic relationship with. Rather than putting a lot of pressure on a first meeting, I like to recommend at least 3-5 sessions to get a feel for one another. This way, both you and the practitioner have a chance to see how the relationship is developing.
Feeling your way into whether you’ve found a good fit may be affirmed ongoingly as you continue working with your therapist. In time, you may feel greater trust, from feeling seen and understood more fully. You may feel more comfortable sharing your deepest vulnerabilities, and find healing.
As the relationship with your therapist evolves, you may have addressed your initial goals. The process will likely reveal new areas that need your attention. This is to be expected with engaging a process of growth and change.
- BIPOC Resources
- Asian Mental Health Collective
- Asians For Mental Health
- Black Therapists Rock
- Bridges Mental Health Asian Pacific Islander & Desi Directory
- Clinicians of Color
- Inclusive Therapists
- Latinx Therapy Resources
- The Loveland Therapy Fund
- Manhattan Alternative
- MCM Collaborative
- Melanin and Mental Health
- NYC Affirmative Psychotherapy
- QPOC Therapist Directory
- Therapists of Color Directory
- Trauma-informed Resources
- Attachment Focused EMDR Therapist Directory
- Co-regulating Touch Directory
- DBT PE Therapist Directory
- EMDRIA Therapist Directory
- Generative Somatics Directory
- Institute for Creative Mindfulness EMDR Graduates
- ICP Trauma Studies Center
- NIP Trauma Treatment Center
- Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Directory
- Somatic Experiencing Directory
- Sliding Scale / Low-fee Clinics
- Ackerman Institute
- Blanton-Peale Counseling
- The LGBT Community Center
- The Fifth Ave Counseling Center
- Gestalt Associates For Psychotherapy
- Gestalt Center For Psychotherapy and Training
- Institute for Contemporary Psychotherapy
- Institute for Human Identity Therapy Center
- National Institute for the Psychotherapies
- Training Institute For Mental Health
Of course, this is not an exhaustive list. These resources are provided only for informational purposes and as a courtesy to further support your particular search.