The importance of culturally specific mental health professionals cannot be overstated when we consider the structural inequities that disproportionately affect black communities. People of color have reported difficulty finding mental health professionals from their community, as nearly 90% of the current mental health professionals are white in Minnesota. This lack of diversity in our workforce often translates into not as beneficial mental health experiences for members of black communities who have encountered practices that are not culturally informed or responsive when attempting to find healing.
“I didn’t realize how challenging it was for me until I had a black therapist,” explained April Bryant, a black mother who brings a social work background, has engaged in therapy for a long time and is a caregiver for several loved ones living with a mental illness. Having a black therapist made therapy more constructive for her by sharing mirrored experiences. Her new therapist’s understanding and sensitivity accelerated her healing. “Something that happened in the past in about three of our sessions, I was able to get done in one session.” Besides, she stresses the importance of representation in mental health professionals. “You are going through it and it is nice to sit with somebody who looks like you.”