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

 

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

until all of us are free, none of us are. my practice centers the reality of our interconnectedness and deeply acknowledges the consequences of late-stage racial capitalism and legacies of white-supremacist colonialism. i work to help folx externalize what these systems have made us to believe about our realities so that we direct our rage and grief at the true roots of our suffering instead of ourselves.

— summer koo, Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate in Denver, CO
 

Research shows that the impacts of discrimination and marginalization can manifest in both mental and physical health. I strive to take into account factors related to culture, context, privilege and marginalization, as we explore therapeutic concerns.

— Dr. Luana Bessa, Psychologist in Boston, MA

I've been working with clients who have been harmed by multiple systems for over 10 years. I have particular knowledge and training in supporting clients who have survived foster care, the carceral system, the military as well as systems of oppression based on racism, ableism, homophobia and transphobia. All of these systems contribute to and cause trauma that deserve special care and attention.

— Shea Lowery, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor
 

All of us are brilliant students of our society, — our families, communities, societies, culture. These factors shape our identities based on creed, gender, colour, etc. — which then shape our realities. To know who we are requires understanding these influences, which reflect this imperfect world as well as how it has shaped who we are. By doing so, we can tease out who we are at our “core,” from what we’ve been taught. I look forward to shifting through these layers with you to find your true

— I-Ching Grace Hung, Psychologist in New York, NY

I've been working with clients who have been harmed by multiple systems for over 10 years. I have particular knowledge and training in supporting clients who have survived foster care, the carceral system, the military as well as systems of oppression based on racism, ableism, homophobia and transphobia.

— Shea Lowery, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor
 

The Shame Resilience Theory developed by Dr. Brené Brown in 2006. I believe many of us live with internalized shame and the core beliefs about ourselves are clouded by this specific emotion. Over time, internalized shame can develop into symptoms anxiety and depression.

— Naomi Duffy, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Los Angeles, CA

I encourage clients to connect with their inner child to unlearn the internalized oppressive messages that result from life, on a micro and macro level; with the belief that unlearning these messages can empower folx into moving forward and reclaiming their lives.

— Lilith Halpe, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in Seattle, WA
 

As intersectional beings, intersecting cultures and systems of oppressions influence our experience incessantly.

— Dr. Jean-Arellia Tolentino, Clinical Psychologist in oakland, CA

All staff are people of color and participate in trainings aimed at enhancing our ability to practice from an anti-oppressive lens.

— NYC AFFIRMATIVE PSYCHOTHERAPY, Clinical Social Worker in , NY
 

"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 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 have received training on supporting clients who are impacted by racism. I also have lived experience navigating and healing despite living within cultural and systemic oppression.

— Jacqueline Casumbal, Psychotherapist in Gaithersburg, MD

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 the cultures, systems, and communities we live in impact the way we navigate the world. A lifetime (or lifetimes, if you want to get into intergenerational wounds) of dealing with oppression can have a profound an impact on mental health. In my practice I consistently keep in mind the ways systems impact the individual.

— Daniela Sawicki Rivera, Associate Marriage & Family Therapist in Oakland, CA

Personal empowerment is inseparable from transformative sociopolitical change. This conviction infuses all that I do, including my psychotherapy approach. Since 2016, I have offered workshops and courses on Racism, Diversity, and Psychoanalysis. I also have years of experience as a grassroots environmental and social justice community organizer.

— Aleisa Myles, Psychologist in Media, PA
 

Our therapists believe in addressing the global contexts that impact us and our clients.

— CoTenacious Therapy, Therapist in Ellicott City, MD

I believe in calling out and speaking the truth to the systems of oppression that surround and us and impact our healing journey. This may look like us having a conversation about your frustrations at work being compounded by the overt sexism in your industry or it could involve a safe place to unpack the microaggressions your mother in law drops at every famiy gathering. I think it's important to discuss these moments in therapy and I work to be an ally and a advocate for my clients.

— Michelle Desmond, Clinical Social Worker in Seattle, WA
 

Systemic oppression, be it racist, patriarchal, or cultural, can have a strong and negative impact on your life, mental health and sense of self. As a Latina Therapist who myself have experienced the negative impacts, my goal is to help POC heal wounds from internalized oppression and systemic inequality.

— Valeska Cosci, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Venice, CA