Counselling for Racism & Discrimination Issues

Understanding Issues Related to Racism and Discrimination

Addressing issues like racism and discrimination, which often significantly impact mental health, is a vital task in therapy. Individuals who have faced racism or discrimination may grapple with complex emotions, including anger, fear, sadness, anxiety, and a diminished sense of self-worth. Individuals who come from a different culture, such as communities that value collectivism and holism, may also experience culture shock mixed with a sense of grief or longing.

Our Commitment to Inclusivity

Our therapists prioritize creating a safe, validating, and culturally sensitive space for BIPOC communities. This involves recognizing the impact of systemic oppression on mental health while validating and affirming the unique experiences of clients from marginalized racial and ethnic backgrounds. In addition, we strive to understand the intersections of race, ethnicity, gender, and other identities to provide comprehensive and individualized support.

Our team also offers and can connect clients with to services in specific languages, including Mandarin, Bahasa Indonesian, and Polish. We have experience support immigrant populations across the entire Lower Mainland, and working with families that have multiple cultural backgrounds.

Ways Counselling Can Help

• Explore the effects of racism on identity, relationships, mental and physical health, and overall sense of self
• Validating the emotional impact of racism
• Challenge internalized racist beliefs
• Develop strategies to navigate systemic challenges
• Increase awareness of historical and societal context that contributes to racial disparities and inequities
• Connections to community resources and others from similar cultural backgrounds, including Asian, Black, and Indigenous communities

Therapists can also play a role in advocating for social justice and empowering clients to navigate systems of oppression. By integrating an anti-racist and culturally informed lens, therapists contribute to creating therapeutic spaces that support healing, empowerment, and resilience for individuals impacted by racism and discrimination.