Why a Lack of Black Physical, Mental Health, Occupational Therapists

By Roger Caldwell

In America there is a lack of racial and ethnic diversity in the healthcare therapists’ field, and there is a need for more organizations to address this problem. The National Association of Black Physical Therapists’ goal is to address the emotions and feelings of the lone minorities embarking on a journey to become physical therapists and physical assistants.

The population of underrepresented minorities (URM) in the health-related professions does not reflect the increasing population of minorities in the United States. Therapists are needed in the physical, mental health, and occupational fields, but the high cost of attaining a graduate degree can leave students with massive debt.

Candidates not only have to be in a position to afford the education, but to get a license to practice the therapy; it takes time. During this period, you work as an unpaid intern, and many of the students are falling deeper in debt. In 2021,  mental health therapists  85% were white and only 5% were Black.

It is easy for many to say that the system is racists and set up for minorities to lose fail. Without a doubt, it is extremely difficult to get through the system, and where do you find time to pay your bills?

To increase diversity in all the therapies, the Accreditation Council, for Occupational Therapy, American Council of Academic Physical Therapy, and National Board for Certified Counselors are all aware that Black Therapists are overlooked, and the numbers are dismal. By having more Black therapists available, clients are empowered to open up about their backgrounds, their concerns, and their families. Making a decision to become a Black therapist will improve Black patient outcomes.

More Black folks are starting to speak up and seek help with mental health care. Some of this is based on the fact that more Blacks are financially stable, and the stigma of mental health is being removed.

As the different Black therapists’ organizations work to increase the numbers of accreditation, it is time to make conscious hiring and staff choices. Many Black therapists are business owners and each one should teach one. Get the community engaged and teach the young students the benefits of being a therapist. Many of the young students don’t know that therapy is a viable career.

Black therapists are a challenge that will not go away, because the numbers are terrible, and they must be improved. There is a need for sponsors and scholarships, and because the work is just starting. Be a mentor and help with research on diversity and inclusion.

Racism and social justice in the therapy field will remain something that is sweep under the rug, and while most White colleagues refuse to talk about it. Black therapist picks their battles, and they call it code-switching, when they speak in their best White voice to be understood.

With only 5 to 7% of Black therapists in America, White colleagues don’t care. Black therapists must be “Agents of Change,” and so at your next workshops, and other events make an effort to educate parents and students on the journey and the benefits of being a health care therapist.