Race and Culture In Therapy

The following piece is written by Aryana Snows, a therapist at The Green House.

Namaste, Sat Sri Akal, Assalam-u-Alaikum and hello. Welcome to The Green House. My name is Aryana and I am of Punjabi heritage. I am a transpersonal arts therapist and currently the only brown therapist at The Green House.

We know it can be scary accessing therapy as a Black or brown person especially in a predominantly white environment. It can be helpful to name the concerns or fears you might have, so this is a snapshot of some of the things young people of colour have shared with me that can be found through various sources:

• “Will this therapist understand my cultural background without me having to explain everything?”
  Children and young people might worry that a white therapist may not grasp cultural nuances, leading to misinterpretation of their problems.
• “Will they misunderstand my culture or religious beliefs?”
  There can be a fear that behaviours or beliefs (e.g., strong family ties, spiritual explanations for distress) will be wrongly deemed “abnormal” or “dysfunctional” by Western-centric models.
• “Will they understand the impact of racism on my mental health?”
  A major concern could be whether the therapist will validate experiences of discrimination as a source of trauma, rather than dismiss it.
• “Will my community find out I am in therapy?”
  Due to high stigma and “izzat” (honour/shame) within some communities, there might be significant concern about confidentiality and the privacy of their “business”.
• “Will I be judged for ‘airing dirty laundry’?”
  There may be a cultural expectation to keep problems within the family, leading to fear that seeking professional help is a sign of weakness or betrayal.
• “Is this space safe for me?”
  Black and brown individuals may be aware of biases and historic maltreatment, making them wary of authority figures.
• “What if I experience microaggressions from the therapist?”
  People might fear subtle racism (e.g., asking “where are you really from” or stereotyping) that can undermine trust.

• “Will I be labelled as ‘difficult’ or ‘aggressive’?”
  This is particularly relevant for black and brown people, who may fear being perceived through negative stereotypes.
• “Are there interpreters available, and will they keep my secrets?”
  For those for whom English is a second language, the quality and confidentiality of translation services can be a major worry.
• “Can they help me manage the conflict between my heritage and British culture?”
  Second-generation individuals may struggle with a sense of isolation or split identity, wondering if the therapist can navigate this complexity.
• “Will they respect my family structure and dynamics?”
  Questions often arise about how to balance individual needs with duty to family.
• “Can I request a therapist who shares my background or understands my culture?”
  People may not know what’s possible and available within services.
• “Can I see a therapist who won’t tell my family?”
  This might be a primary concern for young people or those in close-knit communities who fear being ostracised.

Cambridge University Press (2025), NHS Race and Health Observatory (2023)

I resonate with these from my own journey both personally and professionally in a majority-white environment.

Some young people told me that they felt relieved to see a brown therapist, which felt deeply heartwarming. They shared their relief because they felt they wouldn’t have to explain the culture and its nuances, having someone who understands racial bias whether conscious or unconscious and of having someone who understood the challenges a second or third generation individual is navigating.

The benefits of working with a therapist of colour and from the global majority

• I speak 3 languages which means the need for an interpreter doesn’t need to be a barrier and what is shared in the room can remain confidential between the therapist and client.
• The historical power structures associated with white supremacy/authority are not felt when a young person works with a therapist from the same or a similar cultural background.
• Feelings of anger and its origins can be better understood with a therapist who has a similar background whether that be related to personal traumatic racial experiences or inherited can be explored, free from judgement, regardless of your background or identity.

At The Green House we would like to open the space to support more people of colour and different ethnicities to access therapy and give them the option of working with another person of colour.

References

Cambridge University Press (September 2025) NHS ‘Talking Therapies’ Review identifies Barriers in Accessing Care.

NHS Race and Health Observatory (March 2023) What are the barriers to mental health support for racially-minoritised people within the UK? A systemic review and thematic synthesis.

The Green House’s journey towards greater diversity and inclusion

Sadly, the diversity represented in The Green House’s staff team doesn’t fully reflect the diversity of all the young people and families we exist to serve.

This is partly because we are a small team, partly because the wider therapy and charity sectors we exist in also lack racial diversity, and partly because we need to do more to make sure everyone, from all ethnicities and races, feels able to belong here. We are on a journey to learn more, break down barriers, and change the way that we work to be more inclusive, and we acknowledge that we haven’t got it perfect yet.

This means that, while we will always try our best to put your requests into action, we cannot always guarantee that the practitioner working with you will be the same race or ethnic background as you. It also means that we are committed to making sure that whatever race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, or other difference your therapist may have, you will be respected and listened to. Your choice and your voice matter.

We welcome and encourage you to tell us about changes and improvements you might want to see, and we are particularly keen to learn more about supporting young people and families who are underrepresented in our service. You can do this in your Initial Meeting, any interactions with the practitioner you’re working with, or by email at info@the-green-house.org.uk.