Healing Trauma: Connecting with Clients as a Licensed Professional Counselor of Color

Healing Trauma: Connecting with Clients as a Licensed Professional Counselor of Color

The path to becoming a counselor is a challenging one and for minority professionals, it can come with unique obstacles, but also opportunities for growth. In this blog post, I want to share my experiences and insights on how I connect with clients, particularly those from marginalized communities, and how my identity plays a crucial role in this process. 

As an African American clinician who has deep roots in the Caribbean, my journey in the mental health field has been deeply intertwined with my personal identity and experiences. Representation matters in every field, and mental health is no exception. When clients see someone who looks like them and shares similar cultural experiences, it can foster a sense of trust and understanding that is the gateway for effective therapy. There are many shared human experiences, but for many people of color, finding a therapist who understands the cultural nuances and historical context of their experiences can be a game-changer. 

Building Trust Through Cultural Competence 

I see cultural competence as a continuous process of learning and unlearning. It involves actively listening to clients’ experiences, asking open-ended questions, and being humble enough to acknowledge when we don’t know something. This humility and willingness to learn can significantly strengthen the counselor-client relationship. 

Tailoring Modalities like EMDR for Cultural Trauma 

EMDR’s flexibility allows me to adapt the therapy to meet the specific needs of minority clients. For instance, when addressing intergenerational trauma, I might incorporate discussions about the historical context of the client’s experiences. This could involve exploring the impact of systemic racism on their family or community and how these broader issues have affected their mental health. 

By acknowledging and integrating these cultural and systemic factors into EMDR, I can help clients process their trauma in a more comprehensive way. This holistic approach not only addresses the immediate symptoms but also promotes deeper healing by validating and exploring the roots of their distress. 

Conclusion 

Being a licensed professional counselor is both a privilege and a responsibility. It allows me to connect with clients in meaningful ways and provide culturally responsive care that addresses their unique needs. By embracing my identity and practicing cultural competence, I create a therapeutic environment that is not only safe and supportive but one where all clients can feel valued and understood. By building trust, practicing cultural competence, and tailoring

modalities like EMDR to address cultural trauma, I can help clients process their experiences and move toward healing. 

Sonia Fields-De Pass, M.Ed., LPC 

The Counselor’s Corner

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Dr. Amber Quaranta-Leech, LPC-S

Amber holds a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from Regent University. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor in both Texas and Oklahoma and holds Supervisor credential for Texas. Amber is an EMDRIA consultant and trainer. She has over a decade of experience in the trauma field in work with uniformed services, domestic violence, childhood trauma and abuse, and recent mass trauma events. Amber provides consultation for EMDRIA certification, for consultants-in-training, and supervision for LPC-Associates. Amber continues to research the benefits of EMDR therapy with a variety of populations. Her goal is to help build strong clinicians who are well versed in trauma interventions to better support their clients. Amber sees a limited number of clients with a focus on trauma work, she is also a Certified Career Counselor and Certified through EAGALA to provide equine-assisted therapy. 

Dr. Jose Carbajal, LCSW

Dr. Jose Carbajal, a U.S. Army veteran, earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work and a master’s in theological studies from Baylor University, and a Ph.D. in Social Work from the University of Texas at Arlington. With over 15 years of clinical experience and extensive teaching experience, Jose specializes in trauma, sexual abuse recovery, domestic violence, and substance abuse. His research focuses on trauma interventions, neuroscience, and faith. He is EMDR Certified, an Approved Consultant, and an EMDRIA Approved Trainer, with numerous publications and professional presentations to his name.

Dr. Amanda Martin, LMFT-S, LPC, BCN

Amanda Martin holds a PhD in Family Therapy and is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Supervisor, and EMDRIA Approved Consultant. With over 14 years of experience, she specializes in trauma therapy for individuals and families in residential and outpatient settings. Amanda also provides supervision for EMDR certification, EMDR consultants-in-training, and LMFT-Associates. Her mission is to help people find a healthy, joyful, and fulfilling path in life. Her warm, supportive, and interactive counseling style incorporates Symbolic Experiential Therapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, EMDR, HeartMath, Animal-Assisted Therapy, Neurofeedback, and Collaborative Problem Solving.

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