Reader, For the las two weeks I've 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:
This week I am unpacking step 2, Listening Actively: Yes, we learned active listening in grad school. It is "the process of listening attentively to a speaker, understanding what they're saying, and responding in a way that shows you're engaged." But that is not all of it if the process is not centering our clients' voice and experience, if we're not moving beyond surface-level engagement, and if we're not deeply understanding the unique narrative each client brings.
What does Listening Actively have to with Decolonizing the Mental Health and Wellness Industrial Complex? Everything. It helps us move beyond mere cultural competency and toward a deeper, more authentic connection with our clients. This approach respects both the individuality of each client and the community they belong to AND also creates a true therapeutic environment that is genuinely supportive and healing. 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 3 of Bridging the Gap (Building Authentic Relationships) 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 💫
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I help clinicians, healers, and coaches incorporate decolonized and liberatory values in their practices so that you can have a practice and/or service-based business that is truly affirming and welcoming to clients who hold marginalized identities.
Reader, Something else that keeps surfacing in conversations with fellow therapists and healers is the tension of being both witness and participant in a world on fire. We’re navigating burnout, grief, systemic violence—and then showing up to hold others through the same storms. ❌ This isn’t a sign that you’re not being an effective therapist. This isn't a personal shortcoming either... ✅ This is a reflection of living and working within a system that asks us to care endlessly -while most of...
Reader, A quick update on what I've been up to (you can skip this box to read the Liberatory Letter below): 🎙️ Last year (and last year was a completely different time) I recorded a podcast interview with Maegan Megginson from the Deeply Rested Podcast titled "Love, Joy, and Liberation: A Shame-Free Approach to Decolonization" (for service providers) and you can listen to it here. 🖥️ Next week on 4/24 I am presenting the first part of 3-part Workshop Series for The Therapist Connection titled...
Reader, A quick update on what I've been up to (you can skip this box to read the Liberatory Letter below): 🔥🔥 I'm preparing a 3-part Workshop Series for The Therapist Connection. In April: "Decolonizing Your Practice: A 4-Step Guide for Private Practitioners". In May: "Navigating Code-Switching in Clinical Spaces: Insights for B.I.POC Practitioners and Allies". In June: "Decolonizing Mental Health: Bridging Personal and Professional Transformation". Hope to see you there! Last year I talked...