В черном сообществе меняется отношение к психотерапии: от стыда к поиску поддержки

FROM MY perspective as a Black therapist, I am seeing a real shift in the narrative around therapy within the Black community, writes Chaz’ara Melody. Many of us have grown up with messages such as “what happens at home stays at home” or that personal and family struggles should be dealt with privately. There can be a sense of pride in being able to handle things ourselves, and for generations strength has often looked like carrying on, pushing through and not allowing other people into our personal business. While that resilience has served us in many ways, it can also make asking for help feel uncomfortable or even shameful. I still come across the perception of, “Why would I pay to talk to someone?” But therapy is so much more than simply having a conversation. A skilled therapist can help you recognise patterns, understand where certain behaviours and responses come from, process experiences you may have normalised, develop healthier ways of coping and ultimately create meaningful change in your life and relationships. What I find encouraging is that those attitudes are beginning to change. I am seeing more Black men and women becoming curious about therapy, developing a language for their emotions and recognising that seeking support does not have to be reserved for a crisis. Representation also matters. As a Black therapist, I understand that sometimes clients want to sit across from someone who may already have an awareness of some of the cultural nuances that shape their experiences, without them feeling they have to explain or translate every part of themselves. That doesn’t mean every Black person needs a Black therapist, or that we all share the same experiences, but having culturally responsive therapy and greater representation within the profession can help make these spaces feel more accessible. For me, the continued shift is about moving away from seeing therapy as something you access because something is “wrong” with you, and towards recognising it as a space to understand yourself, unlearn what no longer serves you, improve your relationships and take care of your emotional wellbeing. Therapeutic Inspiration – Three choices Iyanla Vanzant Iyanla Vanzant was another huge influence for me. I was drawn to the way she connected with her community and wasn’t afraid to have difficult conversations. Her straight-talking approach was grounded in compassion and love, but she also challenged people to take accountability and make different choices. Her work blended elements of therapy, coaching, spirituality and lived experience, and what particularly inspired me was seeing that she had developed her own signature way of working. She showed me that you can be professionally grounded while still bringing your personality, authenticity and cultural understanding into the room. Dr. Phil McGraw Growing up, I remember watching Dr. Phil and being fascinated by the different issues people brought to the show and the way he would look beyond the presenting problem to explore why people behaved the way they did. Looking back, I certainly wouldn’t agree with every method or approach he used, but what stayed with me was that curiosity about human behaviour—the idea that there is often so much more happening beneath the surface. I wanted to understand the why behind people’s choices, patterns and relationships, and I think that early curiosity planted a seed for the work I do today. Dr. Joy Harden Bradford More recently, I’ve been inspired by Dr. Joy Harden Bradford and the work she has done through Therapy for Black Girls. What stands out to me is how she has helped bring conversations about therapy and mental health into spaces that feel accessible and culturally relevant to Black women. Seeing a Black woman use her professional expertise to build something that extends beyond the traditional therapy room has been particularly inspiring to me. It reinforces my own belief that therapeutic work can happen through many different spaces and conversations, while still being rooted in professional knowledge and care.