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.
"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, NCI chose to complete my studies in Social Work, specifically to study systems of oppression in our society, with a strong focus on religious systems of oppression. I am well-versed in religious systems of oppression, but this understanding translates to any hierarchical system: racism, workplace discrimination, family systems of oppression, interpersonal oppression (abuse and neglect), and financial oppression (capitalism). Where you have humans in societies together, there is always risk.
— Julia Krump, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Fort Collins, COClinically, 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, ILAs 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, MNHumans are brilliant learners, absorbing messages from our environments — families, society, culture. These external influences shape our identities based on creed, gender, colour, etc., which then shape our realities. To know who we are requires understanding these influences, and 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. Let’s sift through these layers to find your true self.
— I-Ching Grace Hung, Psychologist in New York, NYMy work is justice-minded counseling. The conversations we have will always focus on your experiences in the context of our world. You may have experienced injustices based on any axis of your identity. You may have experienced the consequences of being perceived as a woman or just as different. I want to create a safe space with you for every part of you that feels less than or not good enough because you're different. Let's build the world that fits your unique needs!
— Sidrah Khan, Licensed Professional Counselor in Austin, TXI am a culturally humble/aware counselor. this means that I am aware of my privilege as a white male who recognizes the privilege I bring with me, but my role in the counseling session is to be a passenger down the road to the betterment of the client's mental health; the client will always be the driver and will define which roads they wish to take.
— Ryan Johnson, Student Therapist in Naperville, ILAll 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 , NYI 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, MDI utilize a blend of boundary-setting modalities to address historical and intergenerational trauma. Survival instincts and ways of coping are often passed down in a family system, even if they don't always serve the present moment. Understanding why we react to certain situations, and why others may react, can increase compassion. Once we have cultivated that compassion we can articulate and implement boundaries from a place of acceptance and respect.
— Dwight Bejec, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in Naperville, ILAnti-racist, liberation-focused approach
— Margaret King, Licensed Professional Counselor in Portland, ORWe are a product of the environment around us. In therapy, we will look and explore how these systems effected us in a negative way and how we can heal from this oppression and found our power and to claim it back.
— Chase Tucker, Licensed Professional Counselor in Lakewood, COHumans are brilliant learners, absorbing messages from our environments — families, society, culture — these external influences shape our identities based on creed, gender, colour, etc., which then shape our realities. Knowing who we are requires understanding these influences, and how it has influenced our lenses and behaviours. Only then, can we be empowered to feel in control of our lives.
— I-Ching Grace Hung, Psychologist in New York, NYIn my graduate education, I have both taken and taught classes on racism and systemic oppression. In my clinical practice, I see systemic oppression to be more then race; it also includes gender, sexuality, ethical non-monogamy, ability, citizenship, etc. Much of my experience working with cultural oppression include the manifestations of anxiety and depression.
— Ajay Dheer, Registered Marriage and Family Therapist Intern in Beaverton, ORCultural and systemic oppression are a pervasive element across our country and our world. These erode our spirit and sense of self. We my lived experience and training regarding strategies to attend to the sense of self and healing interventions, I strive to tend building the sense of self that they have chipped away.
— Luis Merced, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in burien, WAI believe that understanding how sociocultural, systemic, and institutional forces influence the ways that you traverse this world. Examining such contexts can facilitate the harnessing of your internal wisdom as well as become more connected to your collective and ancestral experiences.
— Jun Akiyama, Licensed Professional Counselor in Longmont, COWe work with BIPOC. We live in an indoctrinated society. Stigma runs rampant and most of us operate from a narrative and language that perpetuates, support and often complies with oppression and indoctrination. Is it a surprise we are suffering from trauma, depression, anxiety and the likes? If we can begin to unpack how society has victimized us we can begin to alter our stories around shame and self-blame towards a more holistic view of inner and societal healing.
— Mou Ghose, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Los Angeles, CAI 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 Associate in , TXHumans are brilliant learners, absorbing messages from our environments — families, society, culture — these external influences shape our identities based on creed, gender, colour, etc., which then shape our realities. Knowing who we are requires understanding these influences and how it has influenced our lenses and behaviours. Only with this deeper insight, can we feel empowered to regain control of our lives.
— I-Ching Grace Hung, Psychologist in New York, NY