875
Views
1
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Articles

Love in a time of anti-Blackness: social rank, attachment, and race in psychotherapy

 

ABSTRACT

This paper draws on critical race theory and research on attachment, social rank and dehumanization to theorize the implications of addressing anti-Blackness in psychotherapy with both Black and non-Black clients in the context of White Supremacy. Drawing on and critiquing a recent review of attachment theory and race, the author draws on historical and empirical research outlining the contours of a racial capitalist world. Recontextualizing attachment theory through this critical race theory lens, it will be argued psychotherapy must address anti-Blackness with both Black and non-Black clients, redefining therapeutic action not only as the provision of repair of interpersonal ruptures, but also as the capacity to mentalize about socio-historical ruptures, allowing space to clarify and pursue one’s values despite an anti-Black, capitalist and White Supremacist world. This paper will provide case examples illustrating these principles with Black and non-Black clients and conclude with their clinical and political implications.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Reprints and Corporate Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

To request a reprint or corporate permissions for this article, please click on the relevant link below:

Academic Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

Obtain permissions instantly via Rightslink by clicking on the button below:

If you are unable to obtain permissions via Rightslink, please complete and submit this Permissions form. For more information, please visit our Permissions help page.