Navigating Dual Realities: The Experience of Double Consciousness in Black Therapists.

Authors

Briana Thomas, Iman Dadras, Sandra Espinoza

Published in

Journal of marital and family therapy. Volume 52. Issue 3. Pages e70157.

Abstract

This study explores the experiences of Black mental health clinicians navigating double consciousness through a theoretical synthesis of W.E.B. Du Bois' double consciousness, Frantz Fanon's racial inferiority complex, and Cross's Black racial identity development theory. The focus of this study was how dual awareness manifests through racial subjectivity within the professional context for Black clinicians. Furthermore, the study explored the various ways double consciousness influences Black mental health clinicians' interactions during academic learning, professional training, within clinical settings, encounters with professors, clients, supervisors, and colleagues. The results of the data analysis of 12 semi-structured interviews with Black therapists revealed main themes such as perceived inferiority, marginalization of Black therapist experience, authenticity and identity navigation, and mistrust and suspicion about being a Black therapist. Recommendations for the self of the therapist, supervision, and academic training programs are discussed.

PMID:
42411023
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 07 Jul 2026.

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