The Case of Edward: Exploration of Intraracial Dynamics and Internalized Oppression in the Context of Clinical Practice

Abstract

This article explores how internalized racial oppression affected the psychosocial functioning of Edward, an African American male client who struggled with racial identity problems. The African American racial identity developmental stage model proposed by Cross (1991) contextualizes aspects of Edwards “lived experiences.” Attachment, relational, and self-psychological notions are used to ground the clinical processes. This article addresses the usefulness of an intersubjectively informed relationship involving Edward and an African American male therapist, and practice considerations are elucidated.