As a Mixed-race or multiracial person, you probably know all about nuance and complexity, as you navigate and embrace duality and multiplicity. You know about not fitting into neat, distinct categories and perhaps struggling to be validated, understood, or to have a voice. I do too. As a multiracial therapist, I especially enjoy working with clients who are navigating the multiracial or Mixed journey.
Being Mixed-race, biracial, multiracial, or multiethnic can come with its own unique set of challenges. Some of the most common concerns that I address in specialized Mixed and multiracial therapy include:
Identity and Self-Esteem
Identity gets complicated when you’ve never felt fully at home in one category. Disconnection from heritage, imposter syndrome, the specific loneliness of not quite belonging anywhere: these come up often in our work.
What we’re building toward is a sense of self that doesn’t depend on being claimed by any one group–a feeling of home within you.
Anxiety and Depression
Living in a world that is often hostile towards marginalized communities can take a serious toll on your mental health. Mixed-race and multiracial individuals may experience anxiety and depression related to systemic racism and discrimination, as well as internalized racism and the pressure to “pick a side” or successfully navigate conflicting experiences.
In multiracial therapy, we address the mental health toll of living in a racist society directly. That means working on both the coping and the underlying.
Alienation and Isolation
Multiracial folks may feel a sense of isolation and disconnection from both sides of their heritage, as well as from other biracial or multiracial individuals. Mixed-race and multiracial individuals may also experience microaggressions and discrimination throughout life, which can emphasize a sense of not belonging anywhere. The “What are you?” question can really twist the knife in. Together, we’ll explore these experiences and feelings of isolation to work on developing a greater sense of belonging and connection. You don’t have to navigate these feelings on your own.
Colorism and Family Dynamics
Mixed and multiracial individuals may experience colorism (discrimination based on skin color) within family, as well as cultural differences and tensions related to various ethnic backgrounds. Colorism inside families is its own particular wound. We work on navigating those dynamics (within the family and beyond) without pretending they’re simple.
I strive to create a supportive and empathic environment where you can explore your thoughts and feelings related to your Mixed or multiracial identity. My goal is to help you build resilience, develop self-acceptance, and find a sense of belonging. You deserve to feel loved and accepted for exactly who you are.
Embracing Strength & Resilience
Being Mixed comes with real strengths, like adaptability, empathy, the ability to move across worlds, and openness to new experiences. That’s not a silver lining; it’s something worth knowing and using. We’re here for this part of the work too.
Ready to launch your Mixed or multiracial therapy journey?
