What is your therapist's race/ethnicity?

I just randomly thought of something I didn't put too much thought into before. When I was looking for therapists in my area, I think at least 90% of providers were white. I saw a few black therapists and maybe one or two hispanic ones. I don't think I saw anyone who was Asian.

The sad thing is I think the reason I didn't think much of it is that I'm white myself. Actually, I'm half hispanic but don't really identify as hispanic because my parents taught me not to tell people I'm half hispanic since I can pass as white. They didn't want me to face discrimination for having hispanic in me. Sad, but this is how I was raised.

I can imagine a limited number of non-white therapists might be a problem for people of other races if they feel someone of their own race might relate to them better. I dunno, is it? My guess is it is for some people but not all.

It looks like I messed up the title of the poll. Sorry! I have never submitted one before. I think everyone can figure out the question, though. :P

Also, I am sorry that the categories aren't all encompassing. I couldn't think of any way to account for situations like mixed races other than including an "Other" option unless I wanted to include 500 choices.

My T is white, but a lot of psychiatrists/psychologists in my area are black.

I picked other because in the years I've done therapy I've had 2 ts that were black, 4 that were white, 1 who I couldn't tell and stuff like that isn't important to me so I never asked and my current t who is native american. As far as nationality only one of my ts hailed from a different country. She was from Jamaica and was here on a student visa. She worked at the hospital I was inpatient at when I was a teenager. Loved her patois and accent

For what it's worth I always put down white when asked ethnicity. Have enough Cherokee that if I wasn't so apathetic could apply for a roll card and put down Native American but it just doesn't matter to me. For some reason matters to this T though she's pushing me to do so. Says our people need to embrace our heritage.

I picked other because my T is white and I am of mixed race. My first T was black though. I love/loved them both just fine.

I'm white. T is white.

When I was waiting for my appointment today, a new T took a lady back. Lady was white. T was Asian. I live on the West Coast (USA) though, so I think we have a decent mix of Whie/Black/Asian/Hispanic people.

My co-worker is white, but her boyfriend his black. Obviously, their son is bi-racial. She prefers a black or mixed race T because she feels that person will better understand her domestic situation. She lives in a more racially diverse city than I do. (City where we work.) I originally tried to find a T there and the majority were Asian. She had an easy-ish time finding a black T there.

I'm white, and my main therapist would identify as Jewish, even though he is white via European decent. I still think he would identify as Jewish.

CBT T may be white, he could be Armenian, mixed race Hispanic or even Jewish. I don't know why those possibilities come to mind but I guess I don't know him well enough and it doesn't seem relevant or polite to ask

Haha, I feel so lonely in the poll results. I'm Asian, and the majority of the therapists that I've seen over the years were white. I think my first T that I saw back in high school was Asian, and a couple of the other Ts that I saw briefly were Aboriginals, but most of them were white. I honestly never really gave it much thought. I'm not hugely in touch with my Asian heritage, so it never occurred to me to seek out a therapist of the same background.

you can't tell by his last name? i am 2 of the 3 you listed but my last name was shortened and because of the spelling strangers frequently think i'm the other one you listed that i am not. lol

i am white (and very pale) and my Ts have all been white (one was jewish). all 3 of those groups you mentioned are frequently white/caucasian if not mixed race.

I googled the origins of his last name (ugh obsessive I know!!) and it only left me confused lol.

Yes, 3 of those are white--I've just known people who although technically, as far as I know are white yet they specifically identify with something else. A good friend's husband was Armenian which I always thought of as white, but he identified differently. This white chick is often confused on such identities--try as I might to stay educated, I often feel ignorant on the subject.

I'm very close to a middle age white female who sees a black male therapist and loves him to death. She is a special lady though, and not a judgmental bone in her body, let alone a racist one.

When I met my therapist I hoped he was a Jew, either way we are still white.

i don't know that much myself and it sure is complicated. i find it all interesting though and eating the foods from various cultures is awesome.

armenian names usually end in -ian or -yan with the latter being from the russian empire originally.

here are some for hispanic names

here are some jewish name endings

if you want PM me the last name and i'll give it a shot figuring it out.

I'm white and my T is white.

However I come from the UK and my T comes from a country by Austria.

I'm in Europe and am white as well as my T. I am the one to pass for a foreigner though, way lighter than the average (and don't know why as I'm 100% native of my country). I wouldn't mind seeing a T of another race at all. I am used to multiculturality and I think it would only be great and mind opening.

I'm biracial and my therapist is white. Most clinicians I have dealt with were or are white. The others were black, Asian and Indian. I'm not picky as long as I can communicate with the person and they are culturally aware and sensitive. I admit I have trouble relating to clinicians who were not reared in the western world such as Indians with thick accents.

I picked other. Though my current T is white and I am white, I have had T's of other ethnicities/cultural affiliations in the past. The majority of them have been white, but some were of mixed heritage, black, native american, middle eastern, hispanic... I never really thought to pay attention to it all. My only requirement is that I click with them, and preferably female, but even the gender requirement is getting more flexible.
The T's at my current agency, and the one previous have had a fairly mixed ratio of ethnicities for T's, though most are female. I think I have been lucky enough to work/live in places with diverse ethnic identities so the providers available are also pretty diverse.

I never asked. One told me she is Jewish.

My purpose is not to offend anyone, but does it matter what race they are. As long as they are kind, compassionate, and you have a great relationship with them then who cares on their race. Just my 2 cents!

I dont know hers.
I dont know mine.

Id much rather have a Japanese therapist, but sometimes we make do with a person qualified by skills and personal traits.

It hasn't mattered in my case.

Maybe it matters in the sense that I want to understand in part where my T's life perspective comes from---for example main T is the son of 2 Holocaust survivors which of course affects him, his early experiences, his development as a T. I respect it. It helps me understand his point of view. When your family has been nearly exterminated, I can understand why someone would become a T to better understand human nature.

Purple people eater.

It might matter to some people for their own personal reasons. Just like someone feels they relate better to a male therapist or a female therapist, someone might feel they relate better to someone of their own race or maybe a different face for any reason. It doesn't mean that a person of that race is more qualified to treat them necessarily, but who the client feels most comfortable with is important too.

All of my Therapists (that I can remember) have been white females.

Although with my current Psychologist I really don't know what race she is .

If you live in North America, it is quite likely that your therapist is white. And you re too, of course.

Of therapists who are white, they are also more likely to be Jewish (Jewish definition could be confusing, so I mean not by religion but by ethnicity; although I have met both kinds of Jewish people who define themselves as Jewish for both reasons, more therapists are likely ethnically Jewish and not practicing Jewish). If you are seeing psychoanalysts in New York for instance, it's very likely that the person is Jewish of either kind.

Religiously, the second most likely I think would be Christian therapists. A small minority then would be Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, etc.

As far as gender, based on personal experience, I am aware of more male psychoanalysts out there (perhaps because psychoanalysis is a bit patriarchal, think of Freud and his original view of women), but therapists in general are quite more likely to be female. I don't know why. Perhaps women, in general, more nurturing and caring?

I personally think it's important to feel comfortable with the person you are seeing, their gender or age or culture or sexual orientation or whatever. The most important part is being comfortable enough to trust the person with your deepest secrets, shames, fears, etc. Otherwise therapy will be a pointless exercise. Even therapists themselves would suggest the person shop around and find someone they can really connect with. Of course, seeing a therapist of same culture, age, gender, etc, does not necessarily mean you will have good connection either. Imagine a young very religious Christian man seeing a similar therapist. What if he has homosexual feelings he is afraid to express? He may not be comfortable expressing them here either.

But in general, the therapist's background and who they are does influence them and their worldview, so it's important to be aware of how they can influence you. That's my opinion anyways. I myself have seen people who were different from me in more than a couple of ways and it was not terrible and at times even quite pleasant (just one racist therapist who hurt my feelings pretty bad), because most therapists do at least try to be understanding towards others who are different from them. And I did not have much selection where I lived anyways, so could not be choosy.