8 Ways That I Try to “Decolonize” Therapy
Note & Disclaimer: This is an elaboration on what was originally an Instagram post. As with anything that I share or write, take what resonates, leave behind the rest. I believe in consensual consumption of content and do not impose my views or lived experience on folks who do not want to receive them.
Update: For this post, I primarily used the term “decolonizing” associated with mental health and therapy to reflect prospective clients’ words. However, in realizing just how much the term is being used as a metaphor, I prefer to describe my practices as justice- and collective liberation-oriented. Decolonizing anything must center Indigenous sovereignty and land, and we must continuously situate ourselves in the settler colonial context of Turtle Island. Otherwise, the term loses its true meaning and becomes co-opted.
I have had many prospective clients ask me on our consult call, “how DO you decolonize therapy in your practice?”
Anti-oppression and decolonizing are becoming more commonly used terms as our mainstream society in North America is aiming to be more anti-racist and justice-oriented. However, it is important that anti-oppression and decolonizing frameworks do not merely become buzzwords and are backed by actions.
As I have been learning from Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) matriarch, Ta7taliya Nahanee, decolonizing practices are actions we can take, words we can say, and ideas we can unlearn/relearn/learn to transform colonial impacts.
My values for justice and equity are transparent in my social media presence in the words that I say, but I would like to clarify how I embody these values in my therapy practice, in attempts to cultivate safer spaces for my clients. It is in my integrity to go beyond intellectual understanding and engage in the embodied, integrated practice of anti-oppression & decolonizing.
In response to a previous post, "8 ways that therapists can perpetuate white supremacy," I share 8 ways that I try to decolonize therapy. As I learned from Ta7taliya, there is no "one" way or "right" way to decolonize. Just as I try to decolonize therapy, I know that I have gaps in my awareness and practices as well. This is why it is an ongoing practice, an ongoing exploration, and an ongoing learning process to decolonize.
I share this brief list in hopes to offer ideas for clients on what they could look out for and ask for. I ask every new client, "what are you needing from me in counselling that would help you feel safer?" Some clients with previous therapy experience have some answers for me, but others respond that they just don't know. We don't know what we don't know, so here are some ideas. I would also love to invite my fellow practitioners to reflect on how we're decolonizing therapy in our practices.
Here are 8 ways that I try to decolonize therapy:
Acknowledge power dynamics within a client-counsellor relationship and minimize this power dynamic through
asking for informed consent around session topic and modalities
initiating conversation around how we want to build our relationship based on needs and values
being transparent about my intentions for asking particular questions or introducing particular modalities
refraining from stating my own beliefs/perspectives as fact, and offering any of my (minimal) perspectives/words as offerings - something that clients can take or leave, based on their resonance
being transparent about my own biases and assumptions, and asking for clarifications
continuously asking for feedback with the questions: "What has been working for you?" "What hasn't been working for you?" "Is there anything I can do differently or educate myself further on in order to support you better?"
Recognize the limitations of Western counselling psychology which primarily focuses on the individual + family of origin.
Go bigger to recognize cultural, societal, and ancestral influences, including oppressive systems.
Relatedly, differentiate between cultural competency and anti-oppressive practice.
Take the time to learn about my clients' cultural influences as well as the oppressive influences that my clients and their ancestors have/continue to navigate.
Be transparent about my own intersecting identities, privileges, and lived experiences that I do or do not have, especially when asked.
Recognize the importance of my own identities and experiences as a counsellor when clients are trying to assess their sense of safety.
Take psychological diagnoses with a grain of salt, recognizing that Western counselling psychology often pathologizes normal, appropriate responses to oppression and trauma.
Ask what diagnoses/labels the client resonates with and feels empowered by.
Allow for flexibility and fluidity in modalities when working with clients.
Recognize that many popular modalities in Western counselling psychology weren't created with BIPOC in mind, although many of them are rooted in ancestral BIPOC wisdom and practices.
Recognize individual choice as well as systemic limitations.
As well as the interconnectedness of all things and how clients can make an impact on the larger society.
Support clients through cultivating a practice of self-care, building a network of community care and advocating for institutional care.
Social justice work is collective work, and I would like to acknowledge that I personally learn a lot about decolonizing therapy and anti-oppressive practice from Dr. Jennifer Mullan (@decolonizingtherapy), Sonny Jane (@livedexperiencecounsellor), Vikki Reynolds and the folks at Inclusive Therapists (@inclusivetherapists).
If you are looking for anti-oppressive counselling, I highly recommend checking out healingincolour.com for BIPOC counsellors based in so-called Canada and Inclusive Therapists for anti-oppressive counsellors based in so-called USA.
“Any criteria of mental diagnosis can be explained as an act of resistance to oppression.”