Healing From Internalized Racism for Asian Americans

Internalized racism poses harm to Asian Americans’ well-being, mental health, body image, and relationships, while reinforcing racism and anti-Blackness. Rather than pathologizing Asian Americans who internalize racism, this article offers an understanding of its origins within the context of white supremacy and ways of healing and dismantling internalized oppression by cultivating critical consciousness, which includes both awareness of oppression and action to change systems of oppression. Recommendations for psychologists include inviting conversations and naming internalized oppression directly, integrating awareness and psychoeducation about internalized oppression into psychotherapy practice, teaching mindfulness and self-compassion, empowering and encouraging clients to take social action, and promoting critical consciousness in community interventions. In addition to helping clients heal from the harms of internalized racism, psychologists are encouraged to engage in antiracism work as a means of preventing the harms of racism.