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Liberatory Letters

Bridging the Gap, part 1

Published about 2 years ago • 3 min read

Reader,

Last week I introduced you to the 7 steps to bridge the gap between your and your client’s identities.

There are 7 steps to bridging the Gap:

  1. Self-Reflection
  2. Listening Actively
  3. Building Authentic Relationships
  4. Acknowledging Power Dynamics
  5. Commit to Ongoing Learning:
  6. Memorizing is not the same as understanding
  7. Compassion over empathy

This week I am unpacking step 1, Self-Reflection:

Self-reflection is the cornerstone of decolonizing mental health and is crucial in bridging the gap between therapists and their clients. It’s the process of looking inward to identify and understand our biases, privileges, and assumptions. By engaging in embodied self-reflection, we take the first step toward creating genuine connections with our clients. This practice is essential because it challenges us to recognize how our experiences, identities, and societal positions might shape our perceptions and interactions with those we aim to help.

  1. Examining Your Own Biases: The process of self-reflection begins with an honest evaluation of our biases. These biases might be deeply ingrained and subconscious, influencing how we perceive and interact with our clients. It’s essential to ask ourselves questions like:
    • What assumptions do I hold about different cultural groups/communities, and where did these assumptions come from?
    • How might my personal experiences and background shape my understanding of mental health?
    • In what ways might I unconsciously privilege certain cultural narratives over others in my practice?
  2. Recognizing the Trauma of Having Marginalized Identities: Understanding the trauma you and your clients have experienced by having marginalized identities is crucial for creating an empathetic and inclusive therapeutic environment. Clients from marginalized communities often face unique challenges that intersect with their mental health. Consider the following:
    • How do systemic oppression and discrimination affect my mental well-being and the mental well-being of therapy seekers with marginalized identities?
    • In what ways might historical trauma influence my experiences and the present experiences of my clients?
    • Can I provide a safe (or brave) space for clients to express and process the trauma they have faced due to their marginalized status?
  3. Recognizing Privileges and Their Impact: Understanding privilege is a critical aspect of self-reflection. Privilege can take many forms (race, gender, socioeconomic status, education level, etc, etc). As therapists and healers, it’s crucial to recognize how these privileges might influence our perspectives and interactions. For example:
    • How does my identities afford me certain privileges in therapeutic settings?
    • Do I unconsciously expect clients to conform to dominant cultural norms due to my own privileged background?
    • How might my privileges impact the power dynamics in the therapeutic relationship?
  4. Understanding Personal Experiences and Their Influence: Our personal experiences inevitably shape our views on mental health and therapy. Reflecting on these experiences can help us become more aware of how they may influence our professional practice. Consider the following:
    • How have my life experiences shaped my approach to therapy?
    • In what ways might my own healing journey influence my expectations of clients?
    • Are there specific experiences that might lead me to unconsciously favor certain therapeutic approaches over others?
  5. Challenging Assumptions About Therapy and Healing: Decolonizing mental health requires us to question the assumptions that underpin traditional therapeutic practices. This involves recognizing that:
    • The dominant narratives in therapy may not resonate with all cultural backgrounds.
    • Some therapeutic approaches might inadvertently perpetuate systemic biases.
    • Healing is a deeply personal journey that doesn’t fit a one-size-fits-all model.
  6. Bridging the Gap Between Therapist/Healer and Client Experiences: Self-reflection is ultimately about bridging the gap between our experiences and those of our clients. This involves acknowledging and respecting all the identities and perspectives that clients bring to therapy. It’s about asking ourselves:
    • How can I create a therapeutic space where clients feel seen, heard, and valued?
    • In what ways can I acknowledge and address the power imbalances that may exist in our relationship?
    • How can I show up authentically for my clients and encourage them to do the same?
  7. Practicing Humility and Openness: Self-reflection requires humility and openness. It’s about being willing to admit when we’re wrong and being open to learning from our clients. This means:
    • Being receptive to feedback and recognizing when our approach might need adjustment.
    • Understanding that our clients are the experts in their own lives and valuing their insights.
    • Embracing a mindset of continuous growth and learning in our practice.

What does Self-Reflection have to with Decolonizing the Mental Health and Wellness Industrial Complex?

Self-reflection is not a one-time exercise but an ongoing commitment to personal and professional growth. It’s about being proactive in examining our beliefs, assumptions, and practices to ensure that we are providing the best possible care to our clients. Through self-reflection, we can:

  1. Move beyond a checkbox approach to cultural awareness and foster genuine understanding.
  2. Create therapeutic spaces that honor the diverse identities and experiences of our clients.
  3. Contribute to a mental health practice that truly respects and uplifts all individuals.

Do any of the above resonate with you or applies to you and your practice? Hit reply and let me know! (I really want to know!)

I’ll tell you more about step 2 of Bridging the Gap (Listening Actively) in the following weeks!

☀️ In community,

Silvana @ Decolonize Your Practice​

PS. Starting late this year or early next, I will be offering workshops on the various ways of having inclusive and affirming practices🔥 not causing unintended harm to our clients ❤️‍🩹 and healing in community 💫
Click on the topic that interests you the most to make sure you are the first to know about these workshops:

Let's connect!

Liberatory Letters

I'm Silvana, decolonization and liberation consultant and educator for therapists, healers and space holders.

I help therapists, healers, and space-holders bring decolonial and liberatory values into their work—so you’re not just saying you’re aligned… you’re actually practicing it. ⬆️ More integrity, more connection, more liberation. ⬇️ Less burnout, less performative wokeness, less colonial residue. If you want a practice where marginalized clients feel safe, seen, and honored—and you want to feel more grounded and intentional in your work—subscribe and join a growing community of practitioners doing this work differently. You practice can be liberatory-- let's get you there!

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