Black Men's Experiences of Training and Practising as Clinical Psychologists in the UK: A Reflexive Thematic Analysis

Abstract

Background: A lack of diversity continues to be a problem in clinical psychology courses and in the profession in the UK. People with racially marginalised identities, i.e., people from marginalised cultural backgrounds, continue to be underrepresented in the profession. There is consistency in the literature that under-represented groups experience minority stress. Minority stress happens when people's worries about being treated unfairly because of their marginalised identities collide with racism and other kinds of discrimination in their environment. Studies on racially marginalised people in clinical psychology so far have comprised samples that consisted predominantly women, highlighting a marginalised narrative in clinical psychology: the experiences of Black men in the profession. The current study was conducted to address this gap. Methodology: From a critical realist framework, 13 self-identified Black men of African and Caribbean descent were interviewed on their experiences: training and practising as clinical psychologists (CPs) in the UK. Seven were qualified CPs and six were trainees. Findings: A reflexive thematic analysis was used to generate three themes: “The Burden of the “Threatening Stereotype,” “Not Belonging in Clinical Psychology,” and “The Impact of Broaching Experiences.” The findings altogether suggested that British clinical psychology may be enactive of social inequalities and barriers that Black men often face in Western societies such as racism. Conclusion: Leaders or people in senior management positions in clinical psychology courses and the profession, including commissioners and supervisors, should be aware of the isolation, discouragement and pressure that can befall Black men. This is in relation to Black men attempting to reconcile two aspects that historically and structurally have been and seemed to remain incompatible: Black men and clinical psychology.