Perceptions of Racial, Ethnic, and Cultural Ruptures in Counseling: A Qualitative Case Study of a Client From a Minoritized Background

Ruptures resulting from racial microaggressions occurring during treatment have a negative impact on clients from minoritized backgrounds. Although racial microaggressions are widely understood as offensive comments targeting one's race, scholars maintain that not broaching or avoiding discussions regarding the client's race, ethnicity, and culture also constitutes microaggressive acts. Few studies have unpacked clients’ experiences of therapeutic ruptures caused by racial microaggressions. The current study used consensual qualitative research—case study (CQR-C) to examine the cultural rupture experience of a young Somali-Dutch American immigrant with her counselor. Results suggest that ruptures stemming from racial microaggressions in which the counselor ignored the client's racial, ethnic, and cultural factors impeded the development of the therapeutic alliance and more favorable counseling outcomes. These relational fissures contributed to the client's emotional distress and subsequent premature termination. Limitations, clinical implications, and future research and training directions are discussed.