Cultural and Systemic Oppression

I have received training on supporting clients who are impacted by racism. I also have lived experience navigating and healing despite living within cultural and systemic oppression.

John has received extensive education and clinical experience in understanding and working with cultural and systemic oppression. John often incorporates identity development models, philosophies of dual consciousness, and phenomenology into his therapy with oppressed individuals.

My dissertation investigated body image across diverse populations including WOC. In particular I am interested in how WOC use their bodies as a commodity in order to compensate for systemic-level oppression and white-cis-heteronormative dynamics. Clinically, I work from a holistic, relational, empowerment focused and intersectional feminist perspective. I recognize that areas of oppression are linked and cumulative. I strive to use my privileges to help others create clarity and

Racism, patriarchy, able-ism, and other old tricks hurt, use, dis-empower, and silence human beings in the legacy of a "power-over." These tricks toxify language, religion, business, and other institutions. Even non-profits. Even families. Their subtle manifestations can hurt like the obvious ones, especially when they happen repeatedly. A "power-with" way of thinking supports equality, respect, and cooperation. I love to help people find support for power-with.

All staff are people of color and participate in trainings aimed at enhancing our ability to practice from an anti-oppressive lens.

Systems of oppression including but not limited to racism, heterosexism, cisgenderism, sexism, and ableism are often at the root of many of the suffering that bring people to therapy. I have 20 yrs of experience holding space to witness these experiences, to counter and prevent internalization, and develop strategies of disruption. I have trained and supervised therapists and other human services professionals to address oppression as an essential part of clinical work.

Cultural and material conditions shape our psychology; no symptom can be understood outside of this context.

Racism, patriarchy, able-ism, and other old tricks hurt, use, dis-empower, and silence human beings in the legacy of a "power-over." These tricks are in our language, religion, business, and other institutions. Even non-profits. Even families. Their subtle manifestations can hurt like the obvious ones, especially when they happen repeatedly. A "power-with" way of thinking supports equality, respect, and cooperation. I love to help people find support for power-with.

I have a passion for working with those from diverse and intersecting ethnic, racial, cultural, and identity backgrounds and utilize a strengths-based lens in clinical work. As a member of the 2019-2020 Racial Equity Now (RENow) cohort of the nonprofit Dallas Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation (Dallas TRHT), I am also steeped in local and national efforts to support equity.

"Power-over" tricks like racism, patriarchy, and able-ism oppress, dis-empower, and silence human beings. These tricks are everywhere: in our language, religion, businesses, non-profits, even in families. Even in our own minds. Both the obvious and subtle manifestations cause harm, especially when they happen repeatedly. Together we can question oppressive assumptions, and replace "power-over" with "power-with" relationships of equality, respect, cooperation, and empowerment.

I believe that most of our mental health “problems” are rooted in the problematic social environments that have impacted us. I am hella good at creating space to deep dive into the ways you have been shaped by systems of oppression and cultural experiences. Together, we can unlearn damaging and false narratives and heal the pain they have caused you.

I assist individuals to navigate the systemic oppression experience through life and within our systems, family, and workforce. I use self-compassion and strategies to process the daily impact of systemic oppression on daily life.

We are a product of the environment around us. In therapy, we will look and explore how these systems effected us in a negative way and how we can heal from this oppression and found our power and to claim it back.

Have you experienced rejection because of your race, gender, or sexuality and are exploring what living as your authentic self looks like? Or are you wrestling with your faith as a result of experiencing the effects of racism, sexism, or other forms of injustice within your faith community? In our sessions, you will receive support in releasing the painful messages in your life. Together, we will sit in the tension and reconcile all parts of you so that you can embody authentic self with joy.

As a practitioner centered on Liberation Psychology, it is vital that therapy acknowledges and integrates the roles that systemic forces such as inequity, oppression, and marginalization play in impacting clients' mental health. By challenging and engaging with such dynamics instead of minimizing their impact, therapy can become a critical praxis in nurturing clients' abilities to achieve their goals.

I am so happy that we are finally naming the issue instead of silencing, erasing, gaslighting, pathologizing or criminalizing those who are at the effect of it. The ways in which the violence manifests in people's lives can take many forms. And the symptoms can resemble other issues. But if we cannot differentiate cause from response, we will not be able to effectively engage or heal.

Humans are brilliant learners, absorbing messages from our environments — families, society, culture — these external influences shape our identities based on creed, gender, colour, etc., which then shape our realities. Knowing who we are requires understanding these influences, and how it has influenced our lenses and behaviours. Only then, can we be empowered to feel in control of our lives. Let’s sift through these layers to find your true self.

As a Women's Studies major at the University of Minnesota in the early 90's, my knowledge of and interest in oppression of all sorts grew enormously. It was truly one of the most valuable aspects of my education. That interest has only increased since the 2016 election. From that time on, our political and social climate has felt surreal. Unfortunately, it seems the progress we've made since the 1960's has been crumbling before our eyes. Ultimately I'm an optimist though, and I still have hope.