The Elephant Is Not Pink: Talking About White, Black, and Brown to Achieve Excellence in Clinical Practice

Incorporating issues of race and racism can improve clinical engagement and the therapeutic alliance. Assessing, understanding,
and responding to experiences related to racial identity and racism related stress can be an important factor in a clinician’s
ability to be culturally responsive. A vignette of client treatment presents common dilemmas in clinical treatment. Responses
to questions about race from focus groups are presented to frame the experiences of women of color who struggle with poverty
and social-emotional issues. A framework of multicultural antiracist practice highlights the skills necessary for clinicians,
supervisors, and managers.