In the past, African-Americans have not sought therapy.  Some may say that there is a specific reason for this, but there are several. The primary belief is that, within the Black community, mental health has historically been considered taboo. Fortunately, in recent years, this long-standing notion regarding the Black community is beginning to change – particularly among Black women. Increasingly, Black women are opting to include mental health care as part of their overall self-care. This month’s blog will examine three specific reasons why Black women have not sought therapy. 

1. Mistrust of the medical community. For centuries, there has been mistrust of the U.S. healthcare system among Black people – and there is ample research to justify it. Selected incidents include:

a. The origin of the HeLa cell line, named for Henrietta Lacks – the African-American woman whose cells were obtained in the 1950s without her consent and are still widely used today to advance medical research to find cures for illnesses, including cancer.     

b. J. Marion Sims, commonly referred to as “The Father of Gynecology”, who refined surgical procedures by operating on African-American enslaved females in the 1840s without anesthesia.

c. The forced sterilization of Black women in the U.S. from 1950 to 1966.

Though vast changes to federal guidelines and codes of ethics have been implemented to help ensure that such shocking abuses do not recur, the veil of mistrust still persists. Black women have also been skeptical about seeking mental healthcare. The American Psychological Association (APA) – the self-proclaimed oldest national physician association in the country – recently issued an apology to African-Americans in the U.S. to atone for its role in systemic racism against people of color since its inception. The APA also expressed a commitment to remediating its wrongs, and creating anti-discriminatory procedures that advance equitable mental health for everyone.

2. Stigma in the Black community. Traditionally, the church has been a very sacred space for Black people, particularly Black women. Generations of African-American families have learned to lean on their faith when faced with challenges. Church is (and was) considered a place for healing and fellowship; but Black people, including women, have been unknowingly negatively impacted by certain ideals under religious teachings. Some even experienced spiritual hurt. Historically, in the Black community, therapy was seen as something  reserved for “crazy” people. However, as more Black women achieve post-secondary education, many of them are now realizing the benefits of therapy – and that putting their faith into practice can also include seeking mental health care.

3. Negative mindset & influence from family. Within the African-American community, family influences are very strong in developing world view, what is acceptable and view of one’s self. A strong sense of family is common in most Black families. This could be because historically, Black families have been separated from one another for so long. Once families re-connected, they did most things together - even sharing in duties that used to be associated with certain roles. Cassie Damewood of Love to Know Media says, “Family ties were strengthened by heavy reliance on parents, children, grandparents and in-laws to provide emotional, financial and psychological support to each other during both good times and bad.” For this reason, family members of Black communities really care about what their family thinks about their choices. If their family doesn’t see therapy in a positive light - out of a sense of loyalty or not wanting to do what the family will not approve of - neither will they.

4. Lack of culturally sensitive professionals. One of the main concerns that Black women have about the healthcare industry is the unconscious bias that far too many practitioners have when treating non-White patients. Black women tend to feel more comfortable with healthcare providers when the professional is familiar with the context of their cultural background and can relate to their experiences. Therapy/Counseling is no different. According to NPR/Kaiser Health News, when healthcare professionals have an understanding of their patients’ culture and what is important to them, they are better able to foster an atmosphere that is built on trust, safety and validation. “Research has shown that unconscious racial bias persistently afflicts the U.S. healthcare system, resulting in unequal treatment and misdiagnosis for ethnic minorities…Black patients continue to report that too many clinicians are still dismissive, condescending or impatient – which does little to repair trust,” says Verónica Zaragovia of NPR Health News. For these reasons, Black women prefer to seek care from Black physicians. Fortunately, there are more Black clinicians entering the mental health field and an increase in promoting mental wellness in the Black community (Black Mental Health Today Magazine, December 2021).

5. Saying or thinking, “That’s not for me, That’s for them.” People often contemplate therapy for a very long time before actually making their first appointment. Black women sometimes automatically associate therapy with mental illness. If they don’t see themselves in that category, they avoid taking advantage of what therapy has to offer. In other instances, they assume that something has to be wrong (or that a crisis must exist) before they see a therapist. They don’t truly allow themselves to be open and benefit from the support. They don’t grasp that therapy can also be a preemptive measure rather than a reactive one.

Have any of these reasons stopped you from seeking therapy? It will take time to fully recover from the effects of systemic racism. Negative attitudes toward self-development have historically caused problems (and still encompass) the U.S. healthcare system. However, steps are being taken to make the system more equitable for everyone and this trajectory is expected to continue. Give yourself permission to fully practice self-care and to manage your overall well-being. Reach out to Myers-Galloway Counseling for your therapy needs today.