An Intimate Portrait of Shared Trauma Amid COVID-19 and Racial Unrest Between a Black Cisgender Femme Sex Worker and Her Black Cisgender Femme Therapist

Edwards, Raashida M.

This chapter describes the emotional impact of shared cultural trauma experiences in the psychotherapeutic interaction between Dana, a Black cisgender female sex worker, and her current therapist, also a Black cisgender female. Both appreciate that Dana’s narrative of her psychological challenges is unusual and that exposure is risky because of the clandestine nature of the sex industry and safety concerns. This is a primary reason that the voices of Black cisgender female sex workers are generally not reflected in academic research and literature. Current shifts in the sociopolitical climate are creating space for sex workers of color to enter unfamiliar and uncomfortable fora to procure appropriate representation, protection, access to resources, and emotional support. For these reasons, Dana has chosen to make her voice count. Her therapist also shares her own personal and professional reflections on the convergence of the pandemics.