Cultural and Systemic Oppression

The term cultural and systemic oppression refers to the mistreatment of people of a specific group that is supported and enforced by society and its institutions. It can be formal or implicit, and appears in many forms, including racism and sexism. Oppression of any kind, especially over an extended period of time, can deeply affect your mental health and your sense of self. Working with a therapist who is well-versed in these constructs can help you better recognize when they are influencing your life, and how to better manage that influence. Reach out to one of TherapyDen’s cultural and systemic oppression specialists today.

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Meet the specialists

 

My dissertation investigated body image across diverse populations including WOC. In particular I am interested in how WOC use their bodies as a commodity in order to compensate for systemic-level oppression and white-cis-heteronormative dynamics. Clinically, I work from a holistic, relational, empowerment focused and intersectional feminist perspective. I recognize that areas of oppression are linked and cumulative. I strive to use my privileges to help others create clarity and

— Olivia Carollo, Clinical Psychologist in Chicago, IL

Learning is endless. One must be political to have a world free of cultural and systemic oppression. I became open to organizing work straight out of grad school, where I worked with mothers in a head start center. I continued my learning after leaving the organizing world and engaged with others on social media, growing my knowledge and praxis in liberation work. In my approach, I facilitate and co-learn and co-create with clients. You are the expert of your own lived experiences and story.

— Yasmin Jordan, Licensed Master of Social Work in New York, NY
 

I utilize a Treating Internalized Oppression (IO) framework as a foundation for all of my work with clients. This framework helps me to collaborate with my clients to hone in on how their interior world has been shaped by the identities they inhabit and the oppressions/traumas lived through in their lives, past and present. The goal of using the IO framework is to increase self-awareness toward liberation by identifying and metabolizing internalized messages that limit thriving.

— Jen Davis, Associate Marriage & Family Therapist in Seattle, WA

I assist individuals to navigate the systemic oppression experience through life and within our systems, family, and workforce. I use self-compassion and strategies to process the daily impact of systemic oppression on daily life.

— New Patterns Counseling, PLLC, Licensed Professional Counselor in ROUND ROCK, TX
 

I specialize in Culture Shock & Cultural Identity Issues. Cultural assimilation is not just some fun theoretical concept one learns in school. Doing it successfully can mean the difference between getting a job and going hungry, between having friends or not having friends, between being shunned or being accepted in your new community, and between surviving and thriving.

— Dr. Grisel Lopez-Escobar, Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Boca Raton, FL

Cultural and Systemic Oppression related to Race, Sexuality, and alternative lifestyles

— Carla Edwards-Burke, Psychologist in Kansas City, MO
 

Are you feeling the weight of oppression more acutely? Social media and globalization has connected us all, but has also exposed us to more vicarious trauma by witnessing the victimization of members of targeted groups, especially with the rise of nationalism, xenophobia, and the effects of capitalism, globally. We can work together together to sort though your thoughts and feelings, and decide what kinds of action you'd like to take (if any) to heal and honor your culture and yourself.

— Katy Shaffer, Psychologist in Baltimore, MD

Oppression can be covert or overt, but it is always unjust. Understanding how external factors, whether it be from legislative policies or society's perception, affect our lives makes it easier for us to learn how to navigate and break down these barriers. We must also mourn the ways in which our lives have been shaped due to oppression.

— Ashley Lesovoy, Clinical Social Worker
 

Developed familiarity working with cultural and system oppression from necessity acquiring the skills to advocate for clients facing bias and discrimination as inherent parts of the therapeutic system, as well as from personal experience.

— Kameryn "Yams" Rose, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in , CA

Clinically, I work from a holistic, relational, empowerment focused and intersectional feminist perspective. I recognize that areas of oppression are linked and cumulative. In response, I work to help clients navigate these complex dynamics and improve their quality of life. As a Cis-White, Able-Bodied female, it is my job to do the background work and create a space where clients can explore, learn and understand themselves better. You are the expert of your life.

— Olivia Carollo, Clinical Psychologist in Chicago, IL
 

As a first generation multicultural therapist creating a safe space for those that have been othered, marginalized, oppressed, and hold multigenerational trauma matters deeply to me. Since 2011 I have been working with and educating myself on DEI, multigenerational trauma and somatics, and have been working in large part with BIPOC/ the global majority. I am white passing, and welcome discussion about the impact of this; my intent is that a space is made for all of you, free of code switching.

— Pujita Latchman, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Berkeley, CA

Racism, patriarchy, able-ism, and other old tricks hurt, use, dis-empower, and silence human beings in the legacy of a "power-over." These tricks toxify language, religion, business, and other institutions. Even non-profits. Even families. Their subtle manifestations can hurt like the obvious ones, especially when they happen repeatedly. A "power-with" way of thinking supports equality, respect, and cooperation. I love to help people find support for power-with.

— Carlyle Stewart, Counselor in Asheville, NC
 

"Power-over" tricks like racism, patriarchy, and able-ism oppress, dis-empower, and silence human beings. These tricks are everywhere: in our language, religion, businesses, non-profits, even in families. Even in our own minds. Both the obvious and subtle manifestations cause harm, especially when they happen repeatedly. Together we can question oppressive assumptions, and replace "power-over" with "power-with" relationships of equality, respect, cooperation, and empowerment.

— Carlyle Stewart, Counselor in Asheville, NC

I am so happy that we are finally naming the issue instead of silencing, erasing, gaslighting, pathologizing or criminalizing those who are at the effect of it. The ways in which the violence manifests in people's lives can take many forms. And the symptoms can resemble other issues. But if we cannot differentiate cause from response, we will not be able to effectively engage or heal.

— Lisa Ndejuru, Psychotherapist in Montreal,
 

I believe that most of our mental health “problems” are rooted in the problematic social environments that have impacted us. I am hella good at creating space to deep dive into the ways you have been shaped by systems of oppression and cultural experiences. Together, we can unlearn damaging and false narratives and heal the pain they have caused you.

— Jackie Jacobo, Associate Professional Clinical Counselor in San Diego, CA

The world that we live in is not necessarily a friendly one to who we are. Whether we are women or men, people of colour or white, the norms and infrastructures that we have inherited often discourage us from living authentically. What is freedom if not to be free of all arbitrary constraints?

— I-Ching Grace Hung, Psychologist in San Francisco, CA
 

As a Women's Studies major at the University of Minnesota in the early 90's, my knowledge of and interest in oppression of all sorts grew enormously. It was truly one of the most valuable aspects of my education. That interest has only increased since the 2016 election. From that time on, our political and social climate has felt surreal. Unfortunately, it seems the progress we've made since the 1960's has been crumbling before our eyes. Ultimately I'm an optimist though, and I still have hope.

— Molly Nicholson, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in Minneapolis, MN

All of my practices are shaped by being anti-oppressive (to reduce harm), liberatory (to find ways of healing and thriving), and de-colonial (challenging the harmful impacts of colonization and white supremacy culture). I support clients from diverse and often marginalized backgrounds, include LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, immigrants, and diverse abilities.

— Jaya Roy, Licensed Clinical Social Worker