Page 282 - Microaggressions in Everyday Live Race, Gender, and Sexual Orientation

256 microaggressive impact on mental health practice

his dilemmas. Despite my best efforts, I sensed an increase in the tension level,
and he seemed antagonistic toward me.

After several attempts by Peter to obtain direct advice from me, I stated, “ My role
is to help you make decisions on your own. ” It was clear that this angered Peter.
Getting up in a very menacing manner, he stood over me and angrily shouted,
“ Forget it, man! I don ’ t have time to play your silly games. ” For one brief moment,
I felt in danger of being physically assaulted before he stormed out of the offi ce.
This incident occurred several years ago, and I must admit that I was left with
a very unfavorable impression of Blacks. I see myself as basically a good person
who truly wants to help others less fortunate than myself. I know it sounds
racist, but Peter ’ s behavior only reinforces my belief that Black men have trouble

controlling their anger, like to take the easy way out, and find it difficult to be
open and trusting of others. If I am wrong in this belief, I hope this workshop
[multicultural counseling/therapy] will help me better understand the Black
personality. (Sue, 2006, pp. 43 – 44).

All helping professionals, whether they are in mental health, social service,
health care, or employment, rely heavily upon the establishment of a working
relationship between the help giver and the help seeker (Horvath & Symonds,
1991; Sue & Sue, 2008). The establishment of rapport is paramount to good
therapy. In the helping professions, this is referred to as the “ therapeutic work-
ing alliance, ” and most professionals agree that a successful outcome is related
to the quality, nature, and strength of the therapeutic relationship (Constantine,
2007; Grencavage & Norcross, 1990; Kazdin, Marciano, & Whitley, 2005; Liu &
Pope - Davis, 2005). On a dynamic level, counseling and psychotherapy may be

defined as a process of interpersonal interaction, communication, and infl u-
ence between helping professionals and their clients. For effective counseling to
occur, several conditions must be a part of the process: (1) communication must
be clear, accurate, and appropriate, and (2) the helping professional must estab-
lish credibility in the eyes of the client (Sue & Sue, 2008). When microaggressions
are unknowingly and inappropriately delivered by the helping professional,
communication clarity and credibility suffer with the possibility of creating a
rupture or impasse in the helping relationship (Liu & Pope - Davis, 2005).
For example, a multitude of possible racial microaggressions are present in
the vignette. The caseworker (1) defines Peter ’ s race (being Black) as problem-

atic, (2) professes a desire to be color blind, (3) ascribes to a racial stereotype
that Black people are dangerous and potentially violent, (4) pathologizes the
client ’ s communication style, (5) operates from a belief in individual autonomy

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