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Alyssa Digges, MA
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Amy Schell, LMHC
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Ariel Zeigler, Ph.D
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Begoña Núñez Sánchez, LP
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Braxton Stage, MHC-LP
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Carole Taylor-Tumilty, LCSW
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Caryn Moore, LCSW
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Christina Mancuso, LCSW
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Courtney Cohen, LMHC
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Daniel Rich, LMHC
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Elena Beharry, Psy.D
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Eliza Chamblin, LCSW
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Fanny Ng, Ph.D
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Gary Brucato, Ph.D
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Gavin Shafron, Ph.D
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Janel Coleman, LMSW
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Jen Oddo, LCSW
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Jessa Navidé, Psy.D.
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Joanna Kaminski, LMFT
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Josh Watson, LMSW
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Justin L.F. Yong, LMHC
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Karen Kaur, Ph.D
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Kristin Anderson, LCSW
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Logan Jones, Psy.D
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Lucas Saiter, LMHC
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Madeleine Phelan, LMSW
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Monica Amorosi, LMHC
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Nancy Lumb, LCSW
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Nicole Maselli, LMHC
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Peter Gradilone, LMSW
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Raquele Williams, LCSW
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Regina Musicaro, Ph.D
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    women in leadership

    Therapy for Women of Color in Leadership in NYC 

    We specialize In Therapy for Women of Color in Leadership in NYC

    Have you ever felt like your voice doesn’t matter even if you’re in a leadership position? Do you feel as though your colleagues don’t give you the support you need? Are there times when you felt your ideas or behavior were criticized based on what others may think is “appropriate” for your gender or race?

    While many women who belong to the Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) community and women who identify as Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) may hold leadership positions, not everyone recognizes their authority as willingly as they might recognize a male leader’s. BIPOC and AAPI women face hurdles that aren’t just rooted in gender bias, but also racial bias. 

    Though systemic racism and sexism continue to be prevalent problems in society, you’re not alone in facing them. It may be helpful to seek therapy for women of color in leadership, so you can identify and work through these issues in the workplace. Though therapy will not solve a broken system, it can help you reclaim your voice, take up more space, and feel unapologetically empowered to own your position. 

    We specialize in therapy for women of color in leadership in NYC. This type of therapy seeks to help BIPOC and AAPI women in leadership posts handle stressors that are unique but not uncommon to those in their position.

    What Challenges Do Women of Color in Leadership Face?

    Women of color who are leaders tend to experience a laundry list of challenges. It’s virtually impossible to list all the instances that point to systemic racism and sexism precisely because it has been deeply ingrained in our culture. In fact, a 2006 study found that organizations tend to view straight, white men as more effective leaders. The same study found that when an organization fails, straight, white, male leaders are viewed as less responsible for the outcome. 

    Getting to a leadership position is already an uphill climb for many BIPOC and AAPI women. Once you reach a position of authority, even more difficult challenges seem to present themselves. Some of these challenges may include the following: 

    • Receiving criticism for being too soft-spoken or non-aggressive.

    • Not feeling a sense of belonging in industries dominated by white males.

    • Not being seen as fully credible leaders by colleagues and employees.

    • Being left out of conversations or during brainstorming sessions.

    • Not receiving the support you need to implement positive changes in the workplace.

    • Experiencing extreme pressure in the workplace to perform better than others to gain acceptance from colleagues and employees.

    • Feeling anxiety or hesitation over being outspoken when ideas are shot down or belittled.

    • Receiving covert or overt statements or patronizing comments that point to racial and gender bias.

    • Sacrificing time, such as maternity leaves, to immediately go back to work to fulfill workplace responsibilities.

    • Constantly feeling stressed, threatened, or paranoid that other leaders may be conspiring against you.

    • Not being able to express your leadership style in a way that is authentic to your race and gender. 

    • Losing sleep over workplace demands that you want to accomplish just so you can “prove yourself” to others. 

    Therapy for women of color in leadership positions may help in acknowledging that these problems are not something to brush off as “normal” workplace challenges. The effects of systemic racism and race-based trauma can leave you dealing with the effects of intergenerational trauma all your life, bleeding into difficulties in the workplace. You might feel as though you’re a fraud and unworthy of your position, causing you to lose confidence in your capabilities. 

    By acknowledging that the system is flawed, you can take steps toward more empowering mindsets and actions that can help you regain your confidence to speak up, own your leadership position, and take charge without being bogged down by macro- and microaggressions. 

    THERAPISTS WHO CAN HELP

    NYC Therapists Who Specialize in Therapy for Women of Color in Leadership

    Connecting with the right therapist is the most important factor in your search. We’re here to help you find a great match.

    What Does Therapy for Women of Color in Leadership in NYC Look Like?

    Facing all these challenges, how does therapy help BIPOC and AAPI leaders?

    While each client is unique, some techniques like assertiveness training, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness practices, and insight-oriented therapy may be able to work through current and future issues. Here are several ways that therapy may be able to help: 

    • Shift your focus away from negative thought patterns and behaviors caused by stigma, feelings of shame, and self-doubt. 

    • Explore and gain clarity about your current situation by understanding how past actions, feelings, events, beliefs, and behaviors may be contributing to the present.

    • Openly communicate issues and stressors without fear of being dismissed. 

    • Acknowledge existing problems and turn challenges into opportunities that can foster productive and meaningful growth. 

    We will work with you to discover which mode of therapy works best. In some cases, two types of therapy modes can work hand-in-hand, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and mindfulness practices.

    How Therapy Can Help BIPOC and AAPI Women in Leadership

    Constantly facing workplace challenges tied to sexism and racism will eventually take a toll on your physical, mental, and emotional health. Because of the systemic racism and sexism they have faced, BIPOC and AAPI women leaders may be conditioned to believe that they can simply power through or dismiss these issues.

    You might not be able to change a broken system overnight, but you can take steps toward making yourself heard and being firmly rooted in the certainty that you are deserving of not only respect but also your position to lead your organization. 

    With therapy, you may be able to: 

    • Lessen stress and anxiety related to workplace challenges.

    • Communicate your thoughts without fear of being disrespected .

    • Empower yourself not just as a leader in your organization, but as a mentor who may be able to help colleagues and employees alike.

    • Identify and address overt and covert racist and sexist statements or behaviors.

    • Lessen or erase feelings of shame and stigma associated with seeking professional help to work through issues.

    • Take charge in a way that unapologetically embraces your role as a fully capable authority figure. 

    If you’re not ready to seek therapy yet, that’s also perfectly okay. Remember that each person moves at their own pace. It’s completely valid to try and work these issues out through other ways that work best for you. It’s simply important to know that therapy a valid option that you can pursue now or in the future. 

    get the support you need and deserve

    We can help.

    Work itself is hard enough, which is precisely why it’s important to receive support when you’re experiencing challenges in the workplace. To learn how you can further empower yourself, don’t hesitate to schedule a complimentary consultation with one of our therapists specializing in therapy for women of color in leadership in NYC. 

     

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