What is Decolonizing Therapy? | 3 Compassionate Ways to Decolonize Our Minds
Decolonizing the mind is an ongoing process that requires our active curiosity and participation. When we challenge colonial thinking, we can work toward dismantling systems of oppression and building a world that is truly inclusive and safe for all.
What is decolonizing therapy?
Decolonizing therapy is a global movement, stemming from Dr. Jennifer Mullan’s book of the same name, that is radically reimagining healing beyond colonial paradigms.
The decolonizing therapy movement:
acknowledges the impacts of colonization, historical trauma, and systemic oppression on individual and collective wellbeing
recognizes that the field of psychotherapy was not designed with all brains, bodies, identities, and cultures in mind
challenges the universality of Western therapy models, understanding that what works for one person might not work for another
honors and uplifts Indigenous wisdom
adjusts the therapy process to meet the needs of each individual, with curiosity and respect for cultural nuances
does not pathologize people for having understandable reactions (grief, fear, outrage) to painful circumstances (systemic oppression, catastrophic climate change, global conflict, etc.)
centers inclusivity, accessibility, justice, and equity (b/c our liberation is interconnected as human beings)
acknowledges dynamics of privilege and power within the therapeutic relationship, and prioritizes autonomy and choice for the person receiving therapy
So, what does decolonizing therapy look like?
It can look different for each person. There’s no one fixed way. Here are some of the many ways we can start to decolonize our minds.
listening to the body (where somatic and intergenerational wisdom lives)
allowing ourselves to feel anger, rage, and grief toward injustice, and using it as a healthy catalyst toward collective action
building self-trust and intuition (in a world that tells us to look outside ourselves for the answers)
connecting with community, nature, and ancestral roots
understanding that issues outside the therapy room (politics, systems, and all the -isms) DO impact the experience inside the therapy room, and we need to talk about it
naming the elephants in the room — power, privilege, oppression — and having honest conversations about their impact (rather than being the “blank-slate therapist” who’s “neutral” about everything)
being open to un-learning and re-learning what we thought we knew about illness, health, and healing
What does it mean to decolonize the mind?
To decolonize our minds, we must:
become aware of the impacts of colonization, historical trauma, and systemic oppression on personal and collective experiences
actively challenge and dismantle internalized harmful beliefs
Why should we care about decolonizing our minds?
Collective healing + liberation.
When we challenge colonial thinking, we can work toward dismantling systems of oppression (sexism, racism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, fatphobia, classism, religious discrimination, etc).
We can build a world that is truly inclusive and safe for ALL, not just the most privileged and powerful among us.
Decolonizing the mind is an ongoing process that requires our active curiosity and participation.
It’s not a destination or a box to check off. It’s our collective work as human beings; an unlearning and relearning process.
Here are 3 ways to compassionately decolonize our minds.
#1: Question dominant narratives.
Many of us were taught a version of history that was written by the oppressors/colonizers.
May we seek out diverse perspectives and historical narratives, particularly from Indigenous and marginalized communities, to deconstruct and expand our existing understanding of the world.
#2: Be mindful of the language we use.
The language we use can perpetuate harmful stereotypes rooted in colonial thinking.
May we be aware of biases and stereotypes internalized from mainstream media, and actively work to un-root them and ground into language that acknowledges the innate worth and interconnectedness of all.
EXAMPLES OF COLONIZED LANGUAGE
judging people for their productivity and conformity levels; calling them “lazy,” “crazy,” “low-functioning”
calling people “primitive,” “uncivilized,”“illegal” to justify dehumanizing and exploiting entire communities
“pull yourself up by the bootstraps” language — which blames individuals for burdens caused by systemic issues
referring to nature as something to be extracted from, rather than an entity to care for and be in relationship with
#3: Allow ourselves to rest and slow down.
Colonial systems (including patriarchy, white supremacy, capitalism) are exploitative and exhausting to live under.
May we have the space to rest, slow down, take care of each other, grieve, feel joy, experience love and belonging, and shift our world toward collective healing and liberation.
IN CLOSING…
What’s covered here barely scratches the surface of what decolonizing therapy means. Please use this as one of many reference points. Gather perspectives from multiple, different voices. Lean into community as you digest and integrate these ideas.
And importantly, please check out this essential work by Dr. Jennifer Mullan – an “emotional companion and guide to decolonization.”
“To receive the therapy you deserve, read Decolonizing Therapy and insist your therapist read it, too. Empowering, worldview-shattering, and necessary for immigrants and people of color.” ― Stephanie Foo, author of What My Bones Know: A Memoir of Healing from Complex Trauma
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About the Author
Liz Zhou is holistic trauma therapist providing therapy services in Colorado. She helps highly sensitive, neurodivergent adults and couples heal from the past and connect with their authentic selves. Liz’s specialties include EMDR, IFS, Brainspotting, psychedelic integration, and trauma therapy intensives for individuals and couples.
