6 A Handbook on Counseling African American Women Black women’s sexual objectification is associated with hypervigilance to physical threat, self-objectification, psychological consequences such as lowered self-esteem and internalization of sexualized messages (Watson et al., 2012 West, 1995). Therapists should consider how sexual objectifi- cation informs clients’ presenting concerns. Additionally, therapists iden- tifying as men should consider their position of power based on gender identity and seek to navigate power differentials potentially manifesting with Black female clients (Szymanski, Carr, & Moffitt, 2010). Mental Health Consequences of Gendered Racism Black women’s experiences with racial and gender discrimination across their life span have the ability to predict the magnitude of other life stressors Black women experience and their well-being (Perry, Harp, & Oser, 2013). Therefore, therapists must consider the mental health conse- quences of gendered racism and how it compounds Black women’s objec- tives in therapy. Broadly, gendered racism is associated with higher rates of anxiety and depression, fear, and restlessness (Watson-Singleton, 2017). Gendered racism is also associated with higher levels of psychological distress and PTSD among Black women (Lewis & Neville, 2015). Coping with Gendered Racism Black women need a variety of adaptive coping strategies to combat the consequences of gendered racism. Black women may utilize passive or active coping strategies (Szymanski & Lewis, 2016). Passive strategies Black women may use to cope with gendered racism include avoidance and internalization (Szymanski & Lewis, 2016). For example, some Black women may make light of sexualized comments related to their physical attributes to avoid conflict or for fear of being subjected to the “angry Black woman” stereotype. Seeking social support is another option some Black women may use to cope with gendered racism. Potential social support systems for Black women include family members, partners, same-racial/ ethnic women, and professional networks and organizations centralizing Black women. In treatment, Black women may benefit from same-racial/ ethnic group therapeutic support for coping. Lastly, some Black women may cope with gendered racism through acts of resistance (Lewis et al., 2013). Shorter-Gooden (2004) qualitatively examined resistance coping strategies among Black women. In practice, resistance may include rely- ing on spirituality or ancestral support, avoiding triggering people or spaces, or challenging the problem (Shorter-Gooden, 2004). Black women may also resist through a radical hope practice emphasizing understand- ing the history of Black women’s oppression, envisioning equity, and adopting a social justice orientation (Mosley et al., 2020). Intersectional therapy with Black women can emphasize the adaptive coping responses
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