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well - intentioned, and on the surface, their behavior may appear to be responsible.
Because individuals, groups, or institutions that engage in unintentional racism
do not wish to do harm, it is difficult to get them to see themselves as racists. They

are more likely to deny their racism . . . . The major challenge facing counselors is
to overcome unintentional racism and provide more equitable service delivery.
(Ridley, 1995, p. 38)

In one telling example in the helping professions, it was found that tradi-
tional cultural competency training increased the awareness, knowledge, and
skills of trainees to work with people of color, but it left untouched implicit
attitudes and biases (Boysen & Vogel, 2008). The social work intern may
sincerely believe in his unbiased nature, but may still hold powerful preju-
dices that make their appearance in the therapeutic encounter. There is a common
saying that many Black Americans use to describe the attitude of their White
brothers and sisters: “ Say one thing, but mean another. ” Behind that statement
is a belief that Whites are deceptive, conceal their prejudices, and likely to
justify their biases through rationalizations. Thus, in a counseling situation,
clients of color are likely to approach the White helping professional with
considerable hesitation and mistrust. When White helping professionals are
unaware of their biased actions, they only reinforce the beliefs of the clients
and create a rupture that may be irreparable in the therapeutic relationship.

Conclusion

In conclusion, these five racial microaggressions represent a few that may

interact in multiple and complex ways to create ruptures and impasses in the
counseling/therapy relationship. If racial microaggressions occur in everyday
life, they also occur frequently in nearly all helping relationships. Three major
barriers to effective therapy seem operative in this particular case: (1) therapy
sessions are likely to represent a microcosm of race relations in our larger
society, (2) mental health professionals often inherit the biases of their fore-
bears, and (3) the clinical process represents a European American defi nition
of normality and abnormality that clashes with the worldviews and life expe-
riences of diverse groups. A helping professional ’ s ability to establish rapport
and a working relationship is seriously undermined when his or her attitudes,

beliefs, and behaviors fill the therapeutic hour with racial microaggressions.
Table 12.1 summarizes common counseling/therapy microaggressions identifi ed
as often occurring in the therapeutic relationship and directed toward clients
of color, women, and LGBTs.

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