Responding to Microaggressions

What is Responding to Microaggressions?

Plan responses to everyday slights so you can choose rather than react. Microaggressions are brief everyday comments or actions that communicate negative messages about a group. You never owe anyone a response.

When to use it

• Clients navigating two or more cultures
• Newcomers, refugees and second-generation clients
• Family pressure, stigma or shame about seeking help
• Experiences of racism or exclusion

How to use it in session

1. Explain the purpose and check that the client wants to do this.
2. Complete the table: what was said or done, how it landed, respond, let go or get support?.
3. Phrases that feel right for me.
4. How I recover afterwards.
5. Agree one small next step.

Clinician tips

• Ask what these ideas mean in the client’s own culture and family; do not assume.
• Avoid framing family closeness or duty as a problem to fix.
• Invite the client to use any language or word that fits.

Sharing with clients

Members can download the PDF to print or email, or copy a private client link from the download box. Your client opens the link and downloads the worksheet on any device. No client account is needed, and nothing your client writes is stored on TherapyAid.

References

This worksheet is an educational tool for use by, or under the guidance of, a licensed or registered mental-health professional. It is not a diagnostic instrument or a substitute for clinical judgement. If a client is in crisis in Canada, call or text 9-8-8 or call 9-1-1.