Anti-Racism & Anti-Oppression Affirming Therapy in Chicago & Northbrook IL

At Midwest Counseling, anti-racism and anti-oppression are not add-ons to our clinical work. They are integrated into how we think about mental health, how we understand symptoms, and how we approach the work of helping people heal and thrive.

It also means your therapist does not require you to educate them about your experience as a person of color, or to justify the impact of something a white therapist might minimize or not fully see.

• Race-based traumatic stress and racial trauma
• The cumulative psychological impact of microaggressions
• Navigating predominantly white institutions and spaces
• Internalized racism and its effects on self-worth and identity
• Intergenerational trauma related to historical and ongoing systemic oppression
• The stress of code-switching and constant vigilance
• Community grief following racial violence or high-profile incidents of discrimination
• Discrimination and bias in workplace settings
• Intersecting identities and navigating multiple marginalized positions simultaneously

We actively work to recruit, support, and retain clinicians of color. We recognize that many BIPOC clients specifically seek therapists who share their racial or cultural identity, and we take that seriously in how we build our team. We also support clients navigating concerns related to LGBTQ+ identity, Trauma & PTSD, and Self-Esteem.

What is race-based traumatic stress?
Race-based traumatic stress (RBTS) refers to the psychological injury that can result from encounters with racial discrimination, including acute incidents and the cumulative impact of chronic exposure to racism. RBTS produces symptoms similar to trauma responses, including hypervigilance, avoidance, intrusive thoughts, and emotional dysregulation.

Do I need to see a therapist of color to get effective anti-racist care?
Not necessarily, though many BIPOC clients prefer a therapist who shares their racial or cultural background, and that preference is entirely valid. What is essential is that your therapist has genuine knowledge of racism and its psychological impact and does not require you to educate them or justify your experience.

What is the difference between cultural competence and anti-oppressive therapy?
Cultural competence refers to a therapist’s knowledge of different cultural backgrounds. Anti-oppressive therapy goes further, explicitly acknowledging and working against the ways that systemic power and oppression affect mental health and the therapeutic relationship itself. Anti-oppressive approaches take an active stance against harm rather than a neutral one.

Can therapy help with the stress of racism?
Yes. Therapy can help by providing a space to process experiences of discrimination without minimization, build coping strategies for navigating racist environments, address anxiety, depression, and identity impacts, and develop a stronger, more protected sense of self. Therapy does not fix systemic racism, but it can meaningfully support psychological wellbeing within the context of it.

Is anti-racism affirming therapy available via telehealth?
Yes. Midwest Counseling offers anti-racism and anti-oppression affirming therapy via telehealth across Illinois and many other states. Telehealth can be particularly valuable for clients who need a clinician with a specific orientation or background that may not be available locally.