If you’ve ever been a victim of racial trauma, you may be aware of the scars it can leave behind. Addressing your own racist tendencies or attempting to heal from racial discrimination will take a concerted effort, and having professional support can make things much easier.

In order to make progress, you need an anti-racist mental health professional who can help you change your behavior and thinking patterns and give you tools to move forward. Whether you are located in downtown Santa Barbara, the suburbs of Santa Barbara, other nearby places such as Ventura, Lompoc, or anywhere else in California, Mental Health Match can help you easily find an experienced therapist or counselor who best meets your needs.

The Effects of Racial Discrimination

Racial discrimination has a clear impact on your mental health. Here are some of the most common effects of racism on mental health:

• You relive racist events and have trouble healing from them.
• You avoid people or places that remind you of racist trauma you’ve experienced.
• You don’t feel good about yourself, especially pertaining to your race.
• You’re easily offended or frightened, given that you’ve been hurt in the past.
• You feel depressed as a result of the trauma.
• You frequently feel stressed, anxious, or depressed.

This is not a full list of the effects of racial discrimination. Systemic racism can also lead to a lack of necessary resources like:

• Supportive or appropriate mental health care.
• Job and economic opportunities.
• Education.

To learn more about the effects of racism on mental health, read licensed therapist Michael Friedman’s article about intergenerational racial trauma.

You Can Overcome Racial Discrimination with Therapy

You can benefit from a race-focused therapist whether you've been discriminated against or you’ve committed racial acts. They will assist in examining your thought processes and your unique situation and give you the tools you need to succeed. And with Mental Health Match, finding a qualified anti-racist therapist is easy! Start by browsing race and mental health experts below or by using our free therapist matching tool.

Santa Barbara, CA Racism Therapists - List Your Practice on Mental Health Match

Looking to expand your network? At Mental Health Match, we match clients to therapists and counselors specializing in the effects of racism on mental health. Get set up for new referrals in 10 minutes or less. 60 day free trial, with no credit cards required to start. Join now.