Intersectionality in Therapy for African American and Black Women 11 a blueprint for using Black feminism in therapy by providing recommen- dations for clinicians to develop their skills in practice with Black women. Radical Healing To move past individual-level approaches, the framework of radi- cal healing was fashioned (French et al., 2019). Informed by theories of intersectionality, ethnopolitical psychology, psychology of liberation, and Black psychology, the structure of radical healing is a multisystemic approach that acknowledges the role of intersectional oppression on peo- ple of color and Indigenous individuals’ lives based on race, gender, class, religion, nationality, ability, and more (French et al., 2019). French et al. define radical healing as “being able to sit in a dialectic and exist in both spaces of resisting oppression and moving toward freedom” (2019, 11). It requires both acknowledgment of and active resistance to oppression as well as a vision for future freedom and wellness. The framework is grounded in five components that lead to healing: collectivism, critical consciousness, radical hope, strength and resistance, and cultural authen- ticity and self-knowledge. Healing denotes a collectivism perspective that involves a deep connection to one’s community rather than individual- istic coping strategies to get by (French et al., 2019). This also parallels research that has shown the success of group therapy for Black women within the context of attending a historically White institution where they may experience intersecting oppressions daily (Jones & Pritchett-Johnson, 2018). It moves individuals from a frame of coping—surviving to get by— into a model of healing—thriving in society and resisting racism—rather than reacting to racial trauma. Research on Black women has come a long way due to the integration of intersectionality, systemically and throughout practice and research. The universality of intersectionality is evident in the versatility of its application, yet the emphasis on Black women’s experiences remains a fundamental component that is often overshadowed. Unremitting self- reflection for clinicians, and on the field at large, will continue to help enhance the quality of care offered to Black women who often need thera- peutic services the most, but seldom receive the care. INTERSECTIONALITY-INFORMED THERAPY Outreach Intersectionality-informed therapy begins with the process by which we invite Black women to receive therapy services. Given what the research above has taught us about systemic and stereotypical barriers Black women may face, therapists should seek to establish relationships with communities, places, and organizations that attract Black women.
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