Experiences of NHS Psychologists exploring racial trauma with service users from Black and Asian racialised communities

Background: Research indicates that the appraisal of racist experiences is related to psychological distress and trauma. These conclusions have largely been drawn from correlational quantitative data conducted in the US. There is a notable dearth of literature in the UK, including qualitative research into how these experiences are explored within psychological services. Methodology: A critical realist qualitative research paradigm was used to explore the experiences of 13 qualified psychologists. Participants were all employed by North East London NHS Foundation Trust, working across psychological services in the 4 London boroughs of Barking and Dagenham, Havering, Redbridge, and Waltham Forest. Semi-structured interviews were conducted virtually via Zoom and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Results: Findings suggest that mental health services underestimate the experience of racial trauma, and as a result the impact of racism on mental health is often omitted from discussions with service users and colleagues. The psychologists interviewed reflected upon how they might adapt their clinical skills to work with individuals and communities experiencing racial trauma and highlighted how important it is to identify and name racism within services and in wider society. This was considered good practice, in order to ensure service users know that their racialised experiences, many of which are often subtle and hard to detect and prove, are seen and heard. Participants recognised that British society is structured in ways which often disadvantage Black and Asian racialised communities, and that as psychologists they possess a level of power that can and should be used to advocate for better experiences and outcomes within mental health services. Conclusion: This study interrogates the accountability of psychological practitioners, but more importantly moves beyond this to critically examine the institutional structures which maintain the oppression of racialised communities, thus perpetuating racial trauma on a generational scale.