Reader,

As therapists and healers, we all know how important it is to build genuine connections with our clients. It’s what makes our work meaningful and impactful. But here’s the thing—too many clinicians lean on cultural competency training as a catch-all solution, and it’s ironically putting up walls between us and real understanding.

The problem with cultural competency is that it often revolves around a set of fixed stereotypes, which can keep us from truly connecting with people who have a background different than ours. It’s like having a cheat sheet on someone’s culture and thinking it’s enough. Spoiler alert: it’s not!

Back in grad school, we focused on Western psychology (or western —whitewashed— interpretations of Eastern philosophies), and while there’s now more emphasis on cultural humility and cultural responsiveness, we’re honestly still stuck learning basic stereotypes that supposedly define cultural groups. This approach doesn't help us genuinely connect with people or acknowledge the power imbalances and privilege that exist in our interactions.

And guess what. It is not your fault that you are stuck with stupid requirements from your governing board telling you that “you must be culturally competent” via completing a 3 hour training every two years or so (and don’t get me wrong, there’s amazing people out there, with lived experience, trying to give us quality material within the oppressive bounds of our governing boards).

Here's my take on cultural competency: you can learn everything there is to know about someone's culture, but it doesn’t make you competent. If you’re not aware of the gap between your experiences and your client’s, how can you really connect with them or show up authentically? I wish these eurocentric governing boards realized that true connection comes from bridging the gap between your and your clients' identities.

Thanks for tuning in, hit reply cause I’d love to hear your thoughts on this!

☀️ In community,

Silvana @ Decolonize Your Practice​

PS. Starting late this year or early next, I will be offering workshops. Click on the topic that interests you the most to make sure you are the first to know about them:

• ​starting/having a liberatory praxis,
• ​reviewing your values & decolonizing your professional/personal foundations,
• ​healing from internalized oppression, deep identity work & connecting with others,
• ​use of micro-power, using your inner resources, & resisting from within,
• ​grief as liberation,
• ​offering spaces of repair after rupture,
• ​community care for healers & helpers,
• ​stepping into your medicine -instead of using someone else’s-,
• ​healing from white supremacy,

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Let's connect!