The Benefits of a Therapist Who Understands Your Background
By Tiffany Eve Lawrence
When it comes to building your identity in your teen and young-adult years, having someone who understands where you’re coming from can be valuable.
Starleisha Gingrich, a 33-year-old theater education and outreach coordinator in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, was a Black child adopted into a white family in a predominantly white, rural area. When growing up, she didn’t have many people around her who shared her background. When her therapist admitted to being unaware of some of the specific issues the Black community was facing, Gingrich found herself “wishing I had someone to talk to who understood.”
Many people from different backgrounds share Gingrich’s experience.
“Having a therapist who shares a similar cultural background can be very helpful for your healing journey,” says Asuka Garcia, a licensed clinical social worker and first-generation Asian immigrant who works with first-generation immigrants, including international students.
“Racial identity development is such an important part of your mental health and your life,” says Raquel Martin, a clinical psychologist in Nashville, Tennessee, who specializes in racial identity development and stress resulting from racism.
Of course, sharing your background alone does not guarantee your therapist will affirm or relate to your identity. It’s also possible to get sensitive care from someone who doesn’t share your background but has been trained to be open to — and take into account — your identity and experiences. A culturally competent therapist is one who has learned to tailor their approaches to different people. They will have the ability to understand and respect values, attitudes, and other differences across cultures and backgrounds.
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