What Is Racial Trauma?
Racial trauma, also known as race-based traumatic stress (RBTS), refers to the mental and emotional injury caused by encounters with racial bias, ethnic discrimination, racism, and hate crimes. It is a form of stress that individuals from marginalized communities may experience as a result of these harmful exposures. The cumulative effect of these incidents can lead to trauma that parallels post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Racial Trauma?
The signs and symptoms of racial trauma can manifest both physically and emotionally and may include:
- Anger, fear, or hypervigilance
- Feelings of humiliation, shame, or guilt
- Depression or feelings of isolation
- Low self-esteem
- Insomnia or excessive sleeping
- Fatigue
- Bodily aches and pains
- Increased heart rate and difficulty breathing
- Difficulty concentrating or remembering
- Avoidance of places or situations that serve as reminders
- Increased suspicion or paranoia
- Substance use or other harmful behaviors to cope
What Are the Causes of Racial Trauma?
The causes of racial trauma are related to direct or vicarious experiences of racism, including:
- Individual Racism: Personal encounters with racial prejudice or discrimination.
- Institutional Racism: Systematic policies and practices that perpetuate inequities.
- Cultural Racism: The societal promotion of the inferiority of non-dominant cultural groups.
- Historical Racial Trauma: Multigenerational trauma linked to historical incidents of racism and oppression.
- Witnessing Racism: Observing acts of racism towards others of one's racial group.
What Is the Treatment for Racial Trauma?
Treatment for racial trauma requires a culturally sensitive approach and may incorporate:
- Therapy
- Support Groups
- Educational Workshops
- Mind-Body Techniques
- Advocacy and Empowerment
Choose Bluebird for
the Best Racial Trauma Treatment
Choosing Bluebird means selecting a partner dedicated to addressing racial trauma with insight and care. Our strengths are:
Specialized Providers
Clinicians who are not only experts in trauma but also trained in cultural sensitivity.
Holistic Approach
Comprehensive treatment plans that account for the individual's cultural and personal context.
Affirming Care
Treatments designed to validate experiences and rebuild a sense of empowerment.
Community Involvement
Active engagement with the community to foster resilience and collective healing.
Continuous Learning
A commitment to ongoing education that informs all our practices and policies.
At Bluebird, we recognize the profound weight of racial trauma and its pervasiveness in the lives of many. We are here to offer support, understanding, and effective treatments to those affected. Reach out to us for care that acknowledges your experiences and aids in the journey toward recovery and empowerment.
Our Process
Inquire
Fill out the form and we will reach out to you.
Get Matched
Get matched with the therapist that is right for you.
Schedule
Schedule your first consultation and get the help you need.
