Which of the following statements about introducing the topic of race and ethnicity into therapeutic discussions is FALSE?

• A. To be fair, therapists also should discuss their own ethnicity during treatment.
• B. The responsibility for bringing up issues of race and ethnicity falls on the client.
• C. Therapists, especially white therapists, must understand how their racial identity influences counseling dynamics.
• D. Cultural sensitivity typically is applied to cross-racial therapeutic dyads.

Answer: (B)

Race and ethnicity influence how clients experience problems and how they respond in therapy, as well as how the therapeutic relationship works. Therapists should bring up these topics and invite discussion, rather than waiting for clients to name them. This proactive approach helps address how racism, discrimination, and cultural backgrounds shape presenting concerns, coping styles, and treatment expectations, and it helps surface any power dynamics in the session.

The idea that the responsibility for raising race and ethnicity lies with the client is not accurate. Clinicians share the duty to explore these factors, reflect on how their own racial identities and biases may influence the process, and create a safe space for culturally informed dialogue. This is especially important for white therapists, who need to understand how their identity can affect trust, responses, and dynamics in counseling. Cultural sensitivity is particularly essential in cross-racial therapeutic relationships, where deliberate attention to differences helps prevent miscommunication and promotes more effective care. Brief disclosures about the therapist’s own ethnicity can be helpful in some cases to normalize the discussion, but should be used thoughtfully and with the client’s goals in mind.