Practice recommendations for addressing racism: A content analysis of the counseling psychology literature.

Abstract

Although racism persists as a significant public health issue that adversely impacts the mental health of people of color (U.S. Department of Health and Human Service, 2001), there has been very little systematic guidance for mental health professionals to address racism through practice (S. Harrell, 2000). Therefore, we conducted a content analysis of the peer reviewed counseling psychology literature-the first of its kind-to provide a summary and critique of the extant practice recommendations and facilitate the development and enhancement of practice efforts aimed at addressing racism. We reviewed racism-related articles published in the , and and identified 73 relevant articles, of which 51 provided practice recommendations. Based on our review of this literature, we identified eight general categories of recommendations for addressing racism: psychoeducation, validation, self-awareness and critical consciousness, critical examination of privilege and racial attitudes, culturally responsive social support, developing positive identity, externalize/minimize self-blame, and outreach and advocacy. We found that most recommendations within each category were at the individual level with far fewer at the group and systemic level. A critique of recommendations is provided along with suggestions for developing and bolstering practice, research, and consultation efforts aimed at addressing racism. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved).

Within‐person associations between racial microaggressions and sleep among African American and Latinx young adults

“…The direct linkages between poorer sleep outcomes and racial microaggressions underscore the need for monitoring sleep health, while treating students’ mental health concerns using microintervention strategies in outpatient settings (Sue et al., 2019). Microintervention strategies arm marginalized racial groups with the coping repertoire and validating support to defend themselves in response to individuals and institutions communicating racist attitudes (Miller et al., 2018). While further research is needed, decreasing the negative impact of microaggressions on students’ mental health may be a potentially fruitful method to buffer against the onset and worsening of sleep deprivation (Hoggard & Hill, 2018).…”

The Time Is Now: Racism and the Responsibility of Emergency Medicine to Be Antiracist

“… 15 , 16 The breadth and depth of the history of racism, including how individuals have been influenced by this historical construct, must be learned and acknowledged ( Table 2 ). Miller et al 17 developed practice recommendations for addressing racism that are adaptable strategies for emergency medicine individuals. These include validating the reality of racism, critically examining privilege and racial attitudes, developing positive identity, and externalizing and minimizing self-blame.…”

How Should Clinicians Help Patients Navigate “Model Minority” Demands?

“…As a result, clinicians might work with Asian American patients on internal regulation and control rather than on externalizing or minimizing self-blame, which has been shown to be most effective in coping with racerelated stressors. 23 One strategy for regulating racial bias that clinicians could apply to themselves is simply being aware of and acknowledging their racial identity and possible racial biases. 24 Indeed, when clinicians, especially White clinicians, are aware of their racial biases or made aware of these biases, they are more likely to make adjustments and work harder to adjust their prejudicial behaviors.…”