Understanding Microaggressions and Identity: What Therapy Clients Should Know
Microaggressions negatively impact mental health
Subtle social cues and internalized messages can deeply affect how individuals experience their bodies, relationships, and sense of self. Research in counseling and psychology continues to highlight the very real mental and emotional impact of things like microaggressions, identity suppression, and cultural invalidation.
A study by Nadal et al. investigated the impact of covert, subtle racism known as microaggressions on mental health. The researchers found a strong link between experiencing these daily slights and higher levels of anxiety, depression, and emotional distress. Participants from marginalized racial and ethnic backgrounds reported frequent encounters with microaggressions, though the types of experiences varied depending on the community.
This research also emphasized that being invalidated or dismissed when naming these experiences can worsen psychological outcomes. Therapy that offers validation rather than minimization can be an important part of healing. When these experiences are acknowledged and understood, it becomes easier to begin processing them.
The hidden impact of nonverbal microaggressions
A 2018 study revealed that nonverbal signals, such as body language, space, and eye contact, played a significant role in interpersonal communication, often revealing implicit biases. Body-to-body microaggressions, reflecting implicit biases, serve as constant reminders of one’s subjugated status and may act as a form of social control. Those in subjugated social groups often unconsciously adjusted their body language in an effort to appear less threatening or more acceptable. This ongoing effort to maintain comfort for others often led to symptoms similar to PTSD, including hypervigilance, avoidance, and somatic tension.
In therapy, it can be helpful to notice how the body responds to social environments and whether certain patterns stem from trying to stay safe or unseen. Gaining awareness of these responses may allow for the development of more empowering and authentic ways to move through the world.
Identity work in therapy
Microaggressions and social pressures often target core aspects of identity, such as gender, sexual orientation, race, and more. These experiences can lead to internalized beliefs that shape how a person sees themselves and how safe they feel being fully authentic.
Identity work in therapy involves exploring these layers with curiosity and compassion. It may include examining the impact of internalized messages, understanding how protective behaviors have developed over time, and reconnecting with parts of the self that may have been silenced. Building the confidence to define identity on one’s own terms reinforces self-trust and resilience.
References:
Johnson, R., Leighton, L., and Caldwell, C. (2018). The Embodied Experience of Microaggressions: Implications for Clinical Practice. Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development, 46(3), 156–170. https://doi.org/10.1002/jmcd.12099
Nadal, K. L., Griffin, K. E., Wong, Y., Hamit, S., and Rasmus, M. (2014). The Impact of Racial Microaggressions on Mental Health: Counseling Implications for Clients of Color. Journal of Counseling and Development, 92(1), 57–66. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1556-6676.2014.00130.x