The Trauma of Racism: Lessons from the Therapeutic Encounter

The Trauma of Racism: Lessons from the Therapeutic Encounter is a groundbreaking exploration of the psychology of racism and its effects on individuals, communities, and mental health. It offers insights from psychoanalysis and addresses racial disparities in mental health, highlighting the need for personal and collective change. The book is relevant to clinicians, scholars, and readers interested in addressing racism and promoting equity.

Format: Hardback
Length: 370 pages
Publication date: 31 October 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The Trauma of Racism: Lessons from the Therapeutic Encounter is a groundbreaking exploration of the psychology of racism and its profound effects on individuals, communities, and society as a whole. Through the lens of personal experience and rigorous analytic analysis, the authors shed light on the devastating consequences of racism on personal, clinical, and communal interactions, while offering transformative pathways for change. This book posits that the insights and practices of psychoanalysis, when applied both within the therapeutic setting and in the broader community, hold the potential to create unique opportunities for positive transformation.

Essayists in this collection address various manifestations of racially derived mental health disparities, including distortions, projections, stereotypes, and historical tropes. The Trauma of Racism invites both personal and clinical exploration of how individuals learn, confront, and re-learn their views on race. It delves into the narratives of loss, grief, and the burdens of slavery that resonate within the African American community, complemented by accounts of the psychological toll and acts of personal responsibility that arise in response to unequal access to wealth and opportunity along racial lines. Through poignant and compelling accounts, the authors grapple with the possibilities of mutual understanding and empathy.

This book is designed to engage and challenge readers who are deeply concerned about racism. It is suitable for a broad audience, including clinicians at various stages of their careers, as well as scholars in the humanities, law, education, and public policy. The Trauma of Racism offers valuable insights and perspectives that can inspire reflection and action, fostering a more inclusive and equitable society.

Weight: 890g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032247656