We do this till we heal us: Black mental health professionals' experiences working with Black patients suffering from racial trauma.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to examine the experiences and expertise of Black mental health professionals (BMHPs) who work with Black racial trauma across the lifespan. Authors conducted a qualitative study with a critical-ideological paradigm as the methodology of this study. Twenty-five BMHPs (psychologists and counselors) were interviewed about their experiences working with Black clients suffering from racial trauma. Four superordinate themes were identified in the analysis of the data describing (a) how BMHPs define racial trauma and the effects they see racial trauma having on Black persons, (b) how BMHPs work to alleviate the symptoms of racial trauma, (c) the toll that working with racial trauma takes on their own well-being as BMHPs, and (d) ways BMHPs engage in restorative practices in order to continue to engage in the work of healing within the Black community. BMHPs report a strong sense of calling to work with Black persons suffering from racial trauma. They also report joy in their work, yet the complexity of working with racial trauma can be emotionally exhausting. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).