Why White Therapists Must Embrace Intersectional Feminism in Practice Now More Than Ever

The recent election results have reminded us of the stark realities our clients face in a deeply polarized world. For many of our clients—especially Black women and other women of color—their mental health and sense of safety are directly impacted by systemic inequalities and political decisions that shape their lived experiences. For white therapists, this is a critical moment to reflect on how we can better serve all our clients by integrating intersectional feminist theories into our practices. This is especially true for white female therapists, who need to examine how privilege and bias impact our work with Black female clients and clients of color. Now more than ever, our therapeutic spaces need to be intentional, inclusive, and affirming for every identity and lived experience that our clients bring to us.

Intersectional feminism is more than a philosophy—it’s a necessary approach for understanding the complex identities that our clients carry. For our Black female clients and other women of color, therapy is often not just a place to process personal struggles but a space where they come to heal from the daily impacts of racism, sexism, classism, and other forms of systemic oppression. As therapists, if we don’t acknowledge these layered experiences, we risk minimizing or invalidating our clients’ pain. We may fail to see the full picture of their resilience and needs. Integrating intersectional feminism into therapy means that we actively work to understand how a client’s race, gender, socioeconomic status, and other identities intersect and affect their well-being.

White therapists, and especially white female therapists, have a particular responsibility here. We cannot fully understand what it’s like to experience both racism and sexism in the ways that our Black female clients do. Our clients of color are often navigating a world that not only marginalizes them but also places unfair expectations on them to be “resilient” or “strong.” This “strong Black woman” stereotype is incredibly damaging; it can lead Black women to feel pressured to downplay their suffering or to hesitate in asking for support, even in therapy. Without an intersectional lens, we might unintentionally reinforce these stereotypes, leaving our Black clients feeling unseen or misjudged.

The recent election has also highlighted the ways in which marginalized communities are consistently asked to fight harder for equality and justice, often facing heightened threats to their rights and well-being. White female therapists need to recognize that our Black female clients and clients of color might be carrying an additional, often invisible, burden that we can’t fully understand but must respect. This burden is not just a “personal problem” for them to “work on” in therapy—it is a byproduct of structural oppression. Ignoring the political context in which our clients live risks creating a disconnect between us and the people we aim to help. Now more than ever, we need to acknowledge and address the profound impact that political events and policies have on their mental health.

It’s also time for us as white therapists to be honest about the biases and blind spots we bring into the therapy room. Therapy has historically been built on frameworks that often center white, middle-class experiences, and these norms can shape everything from diagnostic criteria to therapeutic techniques. For instance, if a Black female client expresses frustration or anger about a discriminatory experience, a white therapist who lacks an intersectional understanding might view that anger as “maladaptive” or something to be “managed.” This response invalidates her experience and suggests that her reaction is the problem, rather than the systems that triggered it. Instead, we should validate her emotions as a legitimate response to injustice and support her in exploring constructive ways to navigate a world that doesn’t always value her humanity.

In practice, embracing intersectional feminism as a white therapist means actively confronting our own discomfort with conversations about race, gender, and privilege. Some white therapists may feel uneasy discussing race in therapy, either out of fear of saying the wrong thing or because they don’t see it as “relevant” to the client’s issues. But avoiding these discussions sends an unspoken message that the client’s full identity isn’t welcome in the room. Intersectional feminism teaches us that race, gender, and other aspects of identity are not merely background details—they are central to understanding the whole person. If we can’t talk about these parts of our clients’ lives, we’re missing a critical aspect of their story.

To truly embody intersectional feminist practices, white female therapists also need to educate ourselves continuously and seek accountability. This includes learning about systemic issues like racial trauma, misogynoir, and colorism—not waiting for clients to bring these issues up or to educate us. It means consulting with colleagues who specialize in culturally responsive therapy, participating in anti-racism training, and actively challenging ourselves to do better. This work is never done, but every step forward makes us better equipped to serve our clients of color with the respect and empathy they deserve.

Finally, let’s acknowledge that being an intersectional feminist therapist is about more than just being “open-minded” or “inclusive.” It’s about actively creating a space where Black women and clients of color can feel seen, valued, and empowered to speak their truths. It’s about amplifying their voices and validating their experiences, rather than dismissing them as isolated incidents or “personal struggles.” Especially in the wake of divisive political climates and policies that target marginalized communities, our clients need a space where their identities are celebrated and their full stories are honored.

In this post-election era, as tensions and inequities continue to surface, white therapists have a profound responsibility to create healing spaces that actively resist oppression. Practicing intersectional feminism in therapy isn’t a trend or a checkbox—it’s the foundation for ethical, compassionate, and transformative mental health care. By committing to this approach, we help ensure that our clients—especially Black women and other women of color—are given the support they need to thrive in a world that doesn’t always see their worth.