Racism in the Science and Practice of Psychotherapy

We discuss a recent controversy that occurred in The Cognitive Behavioural Therapist over whether Lilienfeld’s critical views on microaggressions theory and research reflect racist beliefs, as alleged by some. This is one of many recent examples of a profoundly antiscientific practice whereby racism allegations chill scientific debate and open inquiry on important research issues. This produces an overtly politicized science that has a corrosive effect on scientific progress and ultimately the useful application of research in clinical practice. The microaggressions controversy provides an especially useful vehicle for challenging this state of affairs given the widespread application of microaggressions theory, including in clinical practice and other applied areas of psychology. Additionally, the arguments made as to why Lilienfeld’s critique is racist parallel arguments made by many others to claim that other areas of psychological science and practice are also racist. We challenge some of these common arguments and point to a more productive way forward for advancing clinical psychological science and the delivery of effective psychotherapeutic services, especially cognitive behavioral therapy.