Should psychotherapists apologise after microaggressions? An empirical analogue study of perceptions of therapists

Abstract

Contemporary therapists practise with a more diverse range of clients and with more awareness, guidance and training regarding issues of multiculturalism, including microaggressions, than therapists of previous generations. Nonetheless, even the most culturally competent therapists remain at risk of committing microaggressions towards their clients, at least from time to time. Microaggressions are common slights, put-downs, invalidations or insults directed towards people who belong to groups (including ethnic and racial groups) that tend to be devalued within a society. Microaggressions are often unintentional, and the person who commits them is often unaware that their actions or

Impact of racial microaggressions in psychotherapy vignettes with african american clients: An experimental analogue design.

“…However, Owen et al (2018) and Overstreet et al (2021) primarily sampled White participants, limiting generalizability. Additionally, combining minoritized racial groups in assessing microaggressions overlooks nuanced contextual differences among specific racial identities.…”

“…Experimental research on microaggressions in counseling utilizes analogue designs to enhance internal validity relative to correlational research, while protecting real clients from exposure to microaggressions (Kuo et al, 2021; Overstreet et al, 2021; Owen et al, 2018; Tao et al, 2017; Torres et al, 2020; Tran & Lee, 2014). These studies compare therapist interventions by comparing microaggression instances with control conditions.…”

“…For instance, Owen et al (2018) found that therapists viewed conversations containing microaggressions as less sensitive and multiculturally oriented as compared to a neutral condition. Similarly, Overstreet et al (2021) had undergraduate participants evaluate therapist statements in videos, finding lower ratings across microaggression conditions.…”