Promoting Efficacy in the Therapeutic Alliance: Considerations for non-Black Clinicians working with African-American Clientele

2–3 minutes

t is estimated that 50% of our nation will be diagnosed with a mental illness within their lifespan. Statistics tell us that 25% of Black Americans will seek mental health care compared to 40% of White Americans. Though there are many factors accounting for this discrepancy, this talk will center on what the presenter believes to be the greater variable impacting the Black American decision to access and retain mental health services: the therapeutic alliance.

This relationship is particularly important when non-Black clinicians engage Black American clientele.

As an African-American Black male therapist, the presenter will share his thoughts and experiences through this lens.. His perspective is that of someone trained in Eurocentric models of psychotherapy, while negotiating models of efficacy drawn from theory as well as cultural ethos. He endeavors to impart information and insight to non-Black clinicians who recognize an ethical mandate to approach all clients from a perspective that is both relevant and responsive.

Marvin Evans is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and Certified Group Psychotherapist who has been working in the field of counseling for over 20 years. Mr. Evans is an eclectic therapist with a strong attachment to Reality Therapy. He specializes in working with marginalized populations on issues of trauma, identity, sexuality, and the existential angst implicit in trying to make sense of this thing we call life. Mr. Evans serves as Treasurer for the Great Lakes Group Psychotherapy Society, and he has been heavily involved with the DEI efforts for the American Group Psychotherapy Association, where he holds a Board position. He maintains a private practice in Chicago, Illinois seeing adults individually and in group psychotherapy, and providing consultation to clinicians interested in exploring racism and racialized dynamics in their clinical work.

This series of informed, open conversations represents an additional investment of resources for ICP+P. We hope you will support this by making a tax-deductible contributions to support it, in addition to the support you are accustomed to making. We welcome donation to support our organization’s antiracism efforts.

Click here to donate to the ICP+P Antiracism & Diversity Fund .

As part of our diversity and outreach work, ICP+P is pleased to offer a series of four round tables. We hope that these topical events will promote discussion and engagement about racism and other forms of exclusion in the mental health field. The intent of a round table is to generate exploration and intimate discussion of a particular topic, in an egalitarian forum. As we prepare for the next phase of our consultative work with Vision 4 Equity, we think that the round tables will create an avenue for on-going discussion and learning that will enrich our organization.

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