Shining the Light on Intersectionality: The Complexities of Similarity and Difference in the Therapeutic Process from the Perspectives of Black and Hispanic Social Workers

ABSTRACT

Few studies have examined the experiences of non-White social workers in racially concordant and discordant therapeutic relationships. The relationship is often complex, with many factors intersecting. Three focus groups with 18 Black and Hispanic social workers and social work students were conducted to explore their perspectives on how racial similarities and differences affect the worker–client relationship. Qualitative data analysis revealed five themes: intersections of diverse characteristics, language discordance and concordance, similarity and difference affecting client engagement, assumptions and expectations based on racial/ethnic background, and use of social work skills and self when encountering difference. Implications for ethnocultural countertransference are highlighted.

KEYWORDS:

• Black social workers
• ethnocultural countertransference
• Hispanic social workers
• racial concordance
• racial discordance

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Joy Pastan Greenberg

Joy Pastan Greenberg, PhD, is an associate professor of social work at Lehman College, City University of New York. Her areas of research have included early childhood education and care policy, school social work, and immigrants and education.

Mohan Vinjamuri

Mohan Vinjamuri, PhD, is an assistant professor of social work at Lehman College, City University of New York. His areas of of research include social work with LGBT communities, child welfare practice, critical pedagogy, and contemporary fatherhood.

Brenda Williams-Gray

Brenda Williams-Gray, DSW, is an associate professor of social work at Lehman College, City University of New York. Her areas of research have included trauma and resiliency, culturally responsive social work practice, and organizational capacity.

Evan Senreich

Evan Senreich, PhD, is an associate professor of social work at Lehman College, City University of New York. His areas of research have included the experiences of LGBT clients in substance abuse treatment and the education of social work students to work with substance-using clients.