It is possible that working-class therapy seekers would receive more positive responses from social workers, who may be more willing to work with disadvantaged populations, or from group practices, where there could be more social pressure to be less discriminatory when selecting clientele.

Heather Kugelmass

Categorized in : Health News

Even the middle class white therapy seekers received return messages only half of the time, as consumers, or potential consumers, of mental health care, we’d like to think that everyone deserves a response.

Heather Kugelmass

This study identified racial and class-based disparities in access, but could not evaluate potential solutions, also, it’s important to caution that this study investigated only doctoral-level psychotherapists in New York City who were sole practitioners; therefore, recommendations based on this research might not be generalizable.

Heather Kugelmass

If individuals experience a lack of responsiveness during their help-seeking process, they may view reaching out to psychotherapists as a fruitless activity or develop negative attitudes toward the profession.

Heather Kugelmass