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Traditionally, whiteness has dominated the field of therapy. Many aspects of therapy are rooted in Eastern or South Asian fundamentals. However, in the U.S., White women are most likely to seek out and work in mental health. Navigating the world of clinical psychology has looked a lot different for Dr. Jonathan Mathias Lassiter than for others who work in the world of healing.
Dr. Lassiter runs his own clinical psychology practice, Lassiter Health Initiatives. He is also an author, professor and public speaker. His private practice specializes in assisting individuals who are high-achieving as well as marginalized. “I know how isolating it can be,” Lassiter shared. “Not a lot of therapists know how to help you with that.”
Based in New York City, Lassiter grew up in Georgia and always knew he wanted to be a doctor. After obtaining an undergraduate degree from Georgia College and State University, he enrolled in a PhD program at the California School of Professional Psychology. “I had a mentor that didn’t try to fit me into his box,” Lassiter said. “Oftentimes [mentors] are trying to create mini versions of themselves and so to have that sort of freedom was amazing.”
To complete his PhD program, Lassiter had to undergo a clinical internship. Once again, he relocated, this time to Indiana. “That was great in a lot of ways, traumatic in a lot of ways,” he added. “I was the only black trainee there.” Lassiter shared that there was only one Black psychologist on staff out of a group of roughly 20.
Expanding upon his trade, Lassiter completed post-doctoral training in the field of HIV training research. This brought him to NYC where he has resided ever since.
Working as a Black LGBT+ Psychologist
With more than a decade of experience, Lassiter has witnessed firsthand the disparities in the realm of psychology. “Only about 4% of the mental health workforce is Black,” he stated. “We don’t have the representation for the population.” Roughly 13% of the American population is Black; this creates a gap between available doctors and those seeking mental health services. “A bigger issue is that what [mental health providers] are taught are Eurocentric means of understanding or white ways of being mentally healthy.”
Lassiter explains that Black providers are trained to assist Black patients according to white-defined standards. While some may choose the route of Buddhist traditions, many providers overlook the precursor to Buddhism. “African people were the first people,” he continued. “Healing and ways in which we think about mental health did not start in the Americas.”
Relating to Your Mental Health Provider
The Black Wall Street Times asked Lassiter if it’s important for patients to seek a therapist with whom they share an identity. “I do, I also think though that’s not always enough,” he responded. “It’s not just about identity, it’s about culture and values. Sometimes people who look like us may have ingested white-centered values.”
The side-effects of oppression are unique mental health challenges that Black Americans face. “It’s multifaceted in the sense that there’s not only oppression but also antiblackness, heterosexism, transphobia, etc.” Lassiter points to the connection of these forms of oppression as a direct result of colonization. “In precolonial African communities, these people who we will put under the queer umbrella are considered sacred,” he added. “With the advent of European and Arab colonization, we see the criminalization of those [people].”
“What whiteness doesn’t call itself a white standard; it just says the standard and blames us for our own problems.” Lassiter connects this standard to the underutilization of therapy in the Black community. “Why would I want to go get therapy from someone I consider my oppressor?”
Addressing Social Stigma Surrounding Therapy
Black adults and Black men, in particular, are among the least likely to seek out mental healthcare. Many different factors contribute to this. “A lot of Black men, for better or for worse, still see the vulnerability as weakness,” Lassiter said. “Vulnerability is not a weakness, it’s actually a strength and it’s also a strength to take care of yourself.” He continues, “We can only be as strong for our loved ones as we’re strong for ourselves.”
“One of the things therapy allows us to do is to pour into ourselves,” he stated. “I would want to reframe therapy not as something that is weak but as a way of fortifying myself so I can now go out and be that support that I want to be for my loved ones.”
Words of Wisdom
As we ended our chat, Lassiter wanted to offer one bit of advice that we can all instill in our lives. And that is to set boundaries. “Say no,” he stated. “Self-care has become candles, spa days and those things are great, however, set those boundaries and don’t be shy about holding people to those boundaries.” He continued, “One of the outcomes of oppression is it makes people question themselves. People are often told through oppression that if you say no, then somehow you are not meeting the standard or you’re turning your back on the people that need you.”
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He goes on to say, “Prioritize your well-being.” He expands on that thought saying, “Too often when we talk about self-care we think about it as this individualized practice…Self-care also looks like pouring into yourself so that you can be there for others.”
Mental Health Resources
In the age of the internet, it has never been easier to find adequate resources that will help you tackle life’s unique challenges. In addition to Dr. Lassiter’s services, pages such as Therapy for Black Girls, Men, and Psychology Today offer resources to find a Black provider in your area. For intersectional identities, the Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network works to create a more inclusive world of therapy.
Check out Dr. Lassiter’s Instagram and X (Twitter) accounts to learn more about his work and upcoming projects.