Empowering and Supporting BIPOC Group Members With Supplemental Affinity Groups

Abstract: Black, Indigenous people of color (BIPOC) individuals in group therapy face daunting emotional challenges when the group membership is predominantly White. Establishing a therapeutically beneficial, safer space for BIPOC group members demands special skills from group leaders, particularly when the group leader is White. This article explores how BIPOC group members are better supported when White group leaders expand their multicultural sensitivity, initiate dialogue about racial dynamics in groups, supply additional support, and offer supplementary affinity groups.