Description: Since the professionalization of psychology began, it has been modeled on white, patriarchal, capitalist ideas of wellness. Therapists trained in the U.S. often lack exposure to non-Western theories and practices, and are unaware of their own biases. These shortcomings can create a therapeutic relationship which perpetuates harm even as it seeks to heal it. Please join us as we explore historical, institutional, and personal biases, and engage with each other through reflection and dialogue!
Robin Chancer, LCSW, is bilingual licensed psychotherapist with more than 10 years of experience. She has been working primarily with asylum seekers and unaccompanied minors for the last 7 years.
Follow up message: Thank you to those of you who were able to attend the presentation this past Monday! We hope it was a fruitful dicussion about decolonizing mental health and we appreciate everyone for sharing their valuable insights. We look forward to continuing this discussion in the future. We are looking to establish a forum that meets monthly and will send more information once we work out the details.
Click here to watch the presentation recording.
Click here for the PowerPoint slides.
- Agger, I., Jensen, B. (1990) Testimony as ritual and evidence in psychotherapy for political refugees. Journal of Traumatic Stress, Vol. 3(1), doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/jts.2490030109
- Esal, J.J., Sopheap, T. (2017) Testimony Therapy With Ritual: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Traumatic Stress, Vol. 30(1), doi: 10.1002/jts.22163
- Dr. Thema Bryant-Davis: https://www.drthema.com/
- BEAM: https://www.beam.community/