Written By: Lynette A. Shaw, MA
I was recently asked, "Who is your ideal client?", and I was instantly confronted with a sobering truth.
I won't speak for all Black clinicians, but I know how scary it can be searching for a therapist to bare one's soul to. I believe that similarly to W.E.B. Du Bois' (1903) "Double Consciousness" (a phenomenon Black Americans endure by being hyper-aware of how they appear in the eyes of their oppressor), clients may undergo another layer of hyper-awareness within the therapist-client relationship. In other words, I can make as many self-deprecating jokes as I'd like, and the client may still feel self-conscious within the therapeutic power dynamic (Ratts et al., 2016).
If we dwell in a society that praises perfectionism, productivity, and instantaneous results, we begin to internalize those same standards. Everything that counseling is not. How can someone work a 9-5 (8 hours of social masking), and then flip the switch to vulnerability when talking with a therapist? Months of building a trusting therapeutic relationship may help peel back these layers, but I am realizing that I have a responsibility to do more.
"Who is your ideal client?"
I want all clients to know that being a "good" client does not require perfectionism, but it does require honesty with yourself and consistency. If you've ever been to a doctor's appointment, and they've asked you a series of questions about your recreational life... it can feel invasive and embarrassing. Considering the history minority patients have with the medical field, we are just to feel protective of personal information.
However, beyond the line of uncomfortable questioning, we must be honest with ourselves to get the help we deserve. If we have the privilege to do so, it is crucial to find a therapist who makes us comfortable so we can achieve this level of vulnerability.
The question I have been sitting with lately is, "How can I minimize feelings of discomfort within clients in the beginning stages of a therapeutic relationship?". Firstly, I want clients to understand their autonomy; they have a right to know about the theories and methods I'm using. In counseling, a little discomfort or challenge can promote growth, but confusion or deception is never the goal. If something seems to not be working, we can change our treatment plan. No, it won't hurt my feelings! Part of the healing process involves me restoring that sense of agency to my clients.
Sincerely,
Lynette A. Shaw
References & Additional Resources:
Pittman, John P., "Double Consciousness", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Summer 2024 Edition), Edward N. Zalta & Uri Nodelman (eds.), URL = <https://plato.stanford.edu/archives/sum2024/entries/double-consciousness/>.
Ratts, M. J., Singh, A. A., Nassar‐McMillan, S., Butler, S. K., & McCullough, J. R. (2016). Multicultural and Social Justice Counseling Competencies: Guidelines for the counseling profession. Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development, 44(1), 28–48. https://doi.org/10.1002/jmcd.12035
"The Souls of Black Folk" :https://www.gutenberg.org/files/408/408-h/408-h.htm
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