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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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

Jacklyn specializes in helping clients navigate the impacts of cultural and systemic oppression. She uses a multicultural and systemic lens to explore how societal structures and cultural expectations shape her clients’ experiences. Jacklyn creates a safe, nonjudgmental space for clients to process these challenges, reclaim their agency, and build resilience while fostering empowerment and self-understanding.

— Jacklyn Cheng, Mental Health Counselor in New York, NY
 

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

The need for social justice comes from the heavy emotional and physical toll that cultural and systemic oppression takes on us. Many of us carry the symptoms of oppression. It is in our bodies and spirits and shows up in work and in our relationships. I work with clients by teaching somatic techniques that help create inner support as well as strategize for ways to develop nourishing practices and cultivate interpersonal and community supports.

— Jamila Dawson, Sex Therapist in , CA
 

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

As a practitioner centered on Liberation Psychology, it is vital that therapy acknowledges and integrates the roles that systemic forces such as inequity, oppression, and marginalization play in impacting clients' mental health. By challenging and engaging with such dynamics instead of minimizing their impact, therapy can become a critical praxis in nurturing clients' abilities to achieve their goals.

— Patricia Arce, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Oceanside, CA
 

Being a marginalized woman in a world designed for straight, cisgender white men isn't just frustrating. It's actively harmful to our health & well-being. As a therapist, I believe that we can't help our clients manage concerns like depression, anxiety, stress or burnout without attending to the role of systemic oppression and the trauma it creates. I work with women of color, immigrants, LGBTQ+ clients, and other marginalized folks to provide a space for healing, recovery and growth.

— A. Maya Borgueta, Psychologist in San Francisco, CA

"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 have expertise in assisting individuals who have experienced displacement and endured cultural or systemic oppression. My professional focus revolves around aiding them in the processing of trauma while fostering self-acceptance of their identities and facilitating the healing process.

— Victoriya Slavich, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner in New York, NY

I have been a victim of systemic racism and oppression pretty much my entire life. Biased and discriminated against multiple times. However, through the mercy and grace of God and the people and resources He has brought into my life, I have gained a better sense of self and what my purpose and calling in life is; to serve people with compassion, dignity, integrity, and respect.

— Phillip Fleming, Counselor in Yonkers, NY
 

Doc believes in education and creating communities for transformative, adult learning. Doc is completing their third doctoral program at Morgan State University in the School of Community Health and Policy. As a DrPH student, Doc's work is grounded in carceral abolition, complex trauma, addiction recovery.

— Dr. L.A. McCrae, Addictions Counselor in Bel Air, MD

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
 

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

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
 

I specialize in working with young adults who are navigating the pressures of academic, career, and personal life, while also confronting issues related to race, identity, belonging, and the impact of social injustices.

— Sonia Castro-Castillo, Licensed Professional Counselor in Reston, VA

I specialize in working with young adults who are navigating the pressures of academic, career, and personal life, while also confronting issues related to race, identity, belonging, and the impact of social injustices.

— Sonia Castro-Castillo, Licensed Professional Counselor in Reston, VA
 

I consider myself a strong activist and work hard to understand how issues of oppression impact the problems presented in therapy. I understand how racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, and any form of bigotry both on an institutional level and personal level, create huge amounts of stress in different populations. I taught for over a decade in a masters level course around understanding issues of oppression and internal biases and how they impact therapy.

— Deann Acton, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Austin, TX

Humans 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