Critically Examining Black Students’ Preparation to Counsel White Clients

Abstract

This study explored how Black students are prepared to counsel White clients in two predominantly White universities. Data analysis revealed five themes, which exposed Black students' preparation experiences: (a) relevant content excluded, (b) stereotyping experienced, (c) authenticity challenged, (d) counter spaces should be included, and (e) cultural sensitivity of faculty warrants increase. The authors discuss implications of the study's findings for educators as well as limitations and recommendations for future research.

Carrying the Burden: Counselors of Color’s Experiences of Microaggressions in Counseling

“…First and foremost, the MSJCC (Ratts et al, 2015) work under the expectation that counselor educators and supervisors attain and maintain a level of competency to provide adequate and equitable training for counselors from marginalized identities to work with clients from privileged identities. While this expectation is aspirational, current research suggests that counselor educators’ and supervisors’ competency in this domain is largely lacking (Haskins et al, 2013, 2015; Seward, 2014, 2019). Haskins and Singh’s (2015) rationale to apply critical race theory to revising counselor education curriculum and pedagogy offers specific guidance for counselor educators and supervisors to begin to challenge and revise the dominant White discourse in counselor education.…”

“…Furthermore, increased multiculturalism represented by faculty members has not translated to more equitable training for students of color given systemic issues such as the use of White hegemonic pedagogy within counselor education (Haskins & Singh, 2015; West‐Olatunji, Yang, Wolfgang, Henesy, & Yoon, 2017). Because of these systemic influences, it is not surprising that evidence suggests counselors of color, compared with White counselors, experience unique challenges in a broad range of roles, including as counselor educators (Shillingford, Trice‐Black, & Butler, 2013), students (Haskins et al, 2013; Seward, 2014), supervisees (Haskins, Phelps, & Crowell, 2015), and practicing counselors (Bayne & Branco, 2018). One specific challenge unique to counselors of color is how to navigate dynamics of race and privilege in the counseling relationship when working with White clients (Bayne & Branco, 2018; L. E. Davis & Gelsomino, 1994).…”

“…In fact, Bayne and Branco (2018) found that counselors of color often perceived direct broaching of issues of race and ethnicity with White clients as potentially harmful to the relationship. Other research has noted the risks to counselors of color, such as displaced aggression (Kadushin, 1972), racism (L. E. Davis & Gelsomino, 1994), and stereotyping (Haskins et al, 2015) from White clients. Likewise, Sue and Sue (2015) delineated multiple pitfalls that counselors of color must navigate when working with White clients, including experiencing challenges to their credibility, feeling the need to prove their competency, projecting racial animosity onto White clients, being perceived as the “model” counselor of color, and managing client expressions of racism.…”

“…Likewise, Sue and Sue (2015) delineated multiple pitfalls that counselors of color must navigate when working with White clients, including experiencing challenges to their credibility, feeling the need to prove their competency, projecting racial animosity onto White clients, being perceived as the “model” counselor of color, and managing client expressions of racism. Therefore, research on microaggressions demonstrates that it can be challenging to assess and navigate counselors of color’s experiences counseling White clients, because it involves many complex dynamics and considerations that can place undue burden on the counselor (Haskins et al, 2015). Often, these dynamics may manifest less explicitly in a session as microaggressions, and counselors require some finesse in noting and determining whether or how to respond.…”

“…Multiple research studies have illuminated the harmful effects to the counseling relationship when clients of color experience microaggressions by the counselor (Davis et al, 2016; Hook et al, 2016; Owen et al, 2014); however, limited knowledge exists on the impact on counselors of color when they are the targets of clients’ microaggressions. Consequently, there is a lack of relevant training and supervision in handling microaggressions from clients, which leaves counselors of color to navigate the situation on their own (Haskins et al, 2015). Literature that does address how to navigate client racism and microaggressions is directed toward White counselors working with White clients, hence guidance for counselors of color remains lacking (MacLeod, 2013).…”