The psychosocial realities faced by Women of Color in the United States are daunting. Long stereotyped as “strong“ and “sassy,“ Women of Color shoulder the weight of others' burdens, compromising their emotional well-being. They are overworked and underpaid, are more likely to be single parents, are at higher risk for intimate partner and community violence, and are underserved in mental health and substance abuse services. Moreover, Women of Color face a daily onslaught of disrespect, denigration, and microaggressions in our racist, patriarchal, and misogynistic culture. Acknowledging and addressing these realities requires practitioners to systematically analyze Women of Color’s oppressions and liberation processes from a Black feminist perspective, informed by politics, race, and sexual and gender identity.

This unique and unapologetic book vividly explores the complex mental health experiences of Women of Color and gives therapists and educators a deeper understanding of the complex problems that Women of Color bring into treatment. With the goal of assisting therapists in developing foundational culturally responsive intervention skills, Lani V. Jones presents key elements and proficiencies critical to Black feminist therapeutic philosophy, theory, and practice. Through numerous anecdotes and case studies, Jones takes a person-centered, politically informed perspective that positions therapy within a cultural context, privileging race, gender, sexuality, and so on. She also provides insight into key paradigm shifts, such as moving the field from deficit models of psychosocial competence to culturally relevant methods that focus on resilience, strengths, and spirituality.

Non-White women will be the majority of all women in the United States by 2060. By incorporating Black feminist theory into existing treatment models, therapists can develop a power-balanced relationship with Women of Color and adopt a healing approach geared toward their needs.