Impact of Unconscious Racial Biases on Therapy

Unconscious racial biases can significantly affect healthcare outcomes, particularly in therapeutic settings. When therapists and patients enact their unconscious biases without awareness, it can hinder open dialogue about race, leading to silence and avoidance of crucial issues. For instance, a patient with a history of discrimination struggled to address her experiences in therapy, believing it was her fault when in reality, it stemmed from her treatment's lack of acknowledgment of racial dynamics. This dynamic emphasizes the necessity for therapists to be conscious of their biases to foster a more effective and inclusive therapeutic environment.