Psychotherapy and black women: a survey

A survey of black and white psychiatrists on the subject of nonpsychotic black female patients in psychotherapy yielded 93 usable responses. Among the findings are a profile of the average black woman in psychotherapy, responses to questions on clinical and therapeutic issues, and the role of racism as reported by the psychiatrists.THE PROFILE OF THE AVERAGE BLACK WOMAN IN PSYCHOTHERAPY THAT EMERGED WAS: she is married, in a technical or semi-professional occupation, with some college experience, in the age range of 26 to 40 years, and most often diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. The most frequent presenting problem is depression, with family problems second in frequency. Developing new coping mechanisms was the most difficult stage of the treatment process. Self-esteem was the most frequent unconscious conflict. Racial discrimination was most often incorportated as a symptom. The impact of racism on the treatment process most frequently occurred in the area of working through conflicts.