Hair, Identity, and the Trauma We Carry: A Conversation with Dr. Gillian Scott-Ward
To take a deeper dive into the psychological impact of being denied the human right to wear our natural hair for centuries, we spoke with Dr. Gillian Scott-Ward.
Dr. Scott-Ward is a Clinical Psychologist with over twenty years of experience helping individuals navigate the complex terrain of trauma, identity, and healing. With a PhD from the City College of New York, she specializes in psychodynamic and somatic therapies—work that is essential for healing the "bodily" stress caused by generations of systemic erasure. She is also the visionary filmmaker behind the acclaimed documentary, Back to Natural.
Dr. Gillian Scott-Ward, who are you, what do you do, and what drives your mission?
"I'm a clinical psychologist in private practice in New York City. I'm also a documentary filmmaker, and I created the film Back to Natural. When I was making the film, my goal was to bring about healing."
Earlier in the film, you mentioned that going natural wasn't easy for you. Looking back now, what were the barriers and how did you overcome them?
"I faced two barriers: a lack of knowledge and a psychological hurdle. Having permed my hair since childhood, I didn't know how to care for its natural texture. Mentally, I had to deconstruct societal standards of beauty and professionalism to reclaim my self-image and heal my relationship with my body and hair."
Was there a specific moment or experience that shifted your perspective on Natural Hair?
"This was a deeply transformative process. In graduate school, I was taught that healing is an individual responsibility. However, I eventually realized that true healing required a collective journey.
It wasn't until I began connecting with others and listening to their hair stories that I finally felt seen and understood. Discovering that the struggle to accept and appreciate Black hair is a global phenomenon changed everything. Knowing I wasn't alone shifted my perspective from individual recovery to community action."
How did your background in Clinical Psychology shape your understanding of the natural hair journey?
"Being a psychologist has shown me that healing from hair-related racial trauma isn't just personal—it's ancestral. To truly heal, we have to look at how history and societal pressures influenced the views of previous generations, recognizing that their relationship with their hair was shaped by the world around them."
From a psychological perspective, what are the long-term effects of centuries of Black people being denied the right to natural hair?
"When we were prohibited from wearing our hair naturally, we lost the power of choice. This created a lasting disconnection from our bodies and a rejection of our true selves. To heal, we must reclaim that autonomy, allowing ourselves to fully embrace who we are and interact with our bodies with creativity and joy."
Since many Black women experience chemically-induced hair loss, how does this connect to the psychological impact?
"I look at hair damage through the lens of perceived necessity. Many people continue damaging their hair not out of ignorance, but because they feel they have no other choice. When the path to natural hair feels invisible or inaccessible, people stay stuck in cycles they know are destructive."
When people stay in these harmful cycles, would you characterize that as an "abusive relationship" with their hair?
"The relationship is deeply complex, and it is far too easy to place the blame on the individual. Maintaining healthy natural hair requires energy, time, and money. We live within a systemic environment so demanding that many simply lack the emotional or physical energy required to care for their bodies in a meaningful way."
As the filmmaker behind Back to Natural, you open with the community’s reaction to Gabby Douglas' hair. Why that specific moment?
"To me, it was heartbreaking—an indictment of how our community gets distracted by 'respectability' even when one of our own is on the global stage defying gravity. We were so blinded by our own traumas that we couldn't even appreciate the profound excellence happening right in front of us."
Would you describe that as a collective trauma response?
"Seeing her natural hair in motion activated something deep. Was it shame? Was it a misguided desire to 'protect' her by suggesting she conform? There is a complex intersection here regarding how we treat Black women when they are doing something astronomical and amazing."
Dr. DeGruy discusses "Post-Traumatic Slave Syndrome," suggesting internal criticism stems from fear of judgment. Is that how you see it?
"Yes, exactly. To compare a child’s hair to 'pubic hair' comes from a place of deep-rooted pain. We have to take responsibility for our healing by critically evaluating the words coming out of our mouths—whether they are directed at our children, our community, or ourselves."
Why is our reaction to short hair often so visceral and intense?
"I think it's connected to a historical archetype. When people were enslaved, one of the first things done to de-identify and dehumanize them was to shave their heads. That historical trauma likely fuels our modern, intense response to short hair."
What are the psychological symptoms of hair-related trauma, and what methods do you use to help people heal?
"I use several methods: First, I am intentional about what my clients expose themselves to. You must be intentional with your 'digital diet.'
Second, I use EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). We look for 'touchstone memories'—moments that shifted your beliefs about yourself and dismantle those unconscious beliefs."
What can we do as a community to support collective healing?
"It has to start internally. I begin therapy sessions with a body scan and breathwork—breathing in awareness, curiosity, and non-judgment. If we could look at our relationship with our hair through that lens, what would we discover?"
Is the 'choice' to wear wigs or relaxers truly a personal one, or is it a form of denial regarding the pressure to conform?
"It’s important to realize that the 'choice' to wear natural hair isn't even legally protected everywhere. In the U.S., the CROWN Act still hasn't been adopted by every state. People often view these as personal choices simply because they haven't had the space to think about them critically. When we bridge that gap, it’s an opportunity to deepen empathy."
Is there a key insight you hope readers take away from your work?
"The most important takeaway is this: it is your birthright to be comfortable in your own body. You deserve to experience joy and creativity with your hair. If people can give themselves the gift of freedom and sensation when it comes to their natural selves, then I believe my work is done."
This interview is part of my documentary BAD Hair Uprooted, the Untold History of Black Follicles. If you appreciate this interview please consider downloading the book to help making the film.
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