Therapist are always in a catch twenty-two when they speak, especially about what many would call sensitive matters. Never-the-less, different people may hear the same words differently. I have friends of color that will be with me experiencing the exact samething, yet they will call the actions of another racist and I will not, or vice versa. I know it is real for them, given their life story, and their defenses. Same for me.

As I said previously, I've heard the words before. I've had minority and non minority therapist say it, and a minority couples counselor say it to my ex h whose also a therapist.

I agree 100 percent if a client is hurt by a therapist words/actions then that therapist needs to apologize and try to get it right. Therapist are human and make mistakes. Sometimes more than most atm, given the nature of the relationship.

Different situation, but the same words:
I had an issue for decades of phantosmia, smelling things that were not there, all because of my mothers response to a few situations when I was a kid I did not know these smells weren't real till I talked to my last ex therapist about them. Seven years previously, I mentioned it to a good friend. She did not know what I was talking about. She couldnt smell the stink I was smelling. I chalked it off as a nice friend not wanting to offend me. On many days in therapy I arrived a mess. When I was a mess I absolutely refused to be touched by her. She did not smell what I was smelling, and never had. She did say, "I know it's real for you." (Samething as the other therapists said when it came to discussing prejudice, and my experience and ex h's experience), and we have to deal with this. I no longer smell what most others don't. This therapist also, used the same words when I spoke about prejudice I was experiencing.

ETA: My ex was livid when it was said to him. He quit couples therapy, and I quit the marriage.