The questions I got asked the most this year…


Reader,


You are receiving this (pre-scheduled) email while I am on a break. So it doesn’t address or reflect on anything that might be happening in the world at the moment. (And honestly, I’m really hoping nothing major is happening… because we’ve all had plenty happen already.)


Let's see if these Qs sound familiar:

  • How do I avoid causing inadvertent harm to my clients?
  • How do I make sure I’m not practicing optical allyship?
  • How can I become more aware of my blind spots? (Yes to this question, but please let’s call them foggy spots—because, yes, words matter.)
  • How can I reclaim the practices that belong to my communities?
  • How can I start unlearning what grad school taught me that hurts my clients?
  • How can I practice anti-oppressive or decolonial therapy/healing if I'm working within an oppressive system?
If these questions ⬆️ resonate with you—or if you’ve been asking yourself similar ones—know this: you’re not alone.

You’re part of a growing community of decolonial practitioners who are committed to doing the work, who care deeply about getting it right, and who want to decolonize their practices while navigating a system that often (always?) pushes back.

I see you, it‘s hard to do the work, it’s a life-long journey, there’s pushback from all the oppressive systems all around us…

And you’ve got this, even when you feel unsure or you question yourself, I see your commitment, and I believe in the work you’re doing 🌻

Even though I’m on a hibernation break, I want to hear from you:

Are there any other questions you asked yourself this year in the journey of decolonizing your practice?

Send me your answer, I’ll be so excited to read it when I’m back.

Here’s to a new cycle/season of more healing for you and your clients

In community and in new beginnings ☀️

Silvana @ Decolonize Your Practice

PS. You can read previous Liberatory Letters here.

Let's connect!

Hi! I'm Silvana.

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.

Read more from Hi! I'm Silvana.
a black and white photo with the words making a way out of no way

Reader, This has been the topic this week in my clinical practice with other clinicians... ...Maybe this week (especially if you are in the US) you: though of not being a therapist anymore wanted to stay in bed we’re scared yourself about your future due to your identities thought you were not being efficient enough with your clients needed therapy yourself angry, done, ready to leave, enraged helpless, hopeless I hear you and I see you. I have felt all of the above as well… Then I recalled...

yellow and black sign that reads "follow me"

Reader, You are receiving this (pre-scheduled) email while I transition back from a break. So it doesn’t address or reflect on anything that might be happening in the world at the moment. (And honestly, I’m really hoping nothing major is happening… because we’ve all had plenty happen already.) These are some of the people I started following this year. They’re far from being your traditional therapy resource. None of them are therapists (in the Western sense), but they are IMHO amazing...

A black and white photo of an old fashioned typewriter

Reader, You are receiving this (pre-scheduled) email while I transition back from a break. So it doesn’t address or reflect on anything that might be happening in the world at the moment. (And honestly, I’m really hoping nothing major is happening… because we’ve all had plenty happen already.) Short and sweet: Here are a couple of articles I was glad to come across last year... This is one that made me think the most: Why We Should Stop Saying “Underrepresented” by N. Chloé Nwangwu Why?...