Your therapist is white. You're not. Is this a problem?

Similar cultural roots don't guarantee better bond, yet competence in learning about differences and being mindful of verbal and non-verbal cues are critical

The voice on the other end of the line, doing what they call "intake", had one last question. "Do you have a preference in terms of the gender of your therapist?"

I paused, a little thrown by the question. I was just mechanically following friends' advice to seek help and take advantage of free therapy sessions provided by our graduate school; the idea of having a choice had not crossed my mind.