What Does It Mean to Decolonise Therapy?
For a long time, the mental health field has operated under the assumption that there is a "universal" way to heal. We’ve been taught that if we are struggling, the solution lies solely within our own minds through changing our thoughts, fixing our "chemical imbalances," or practicing better self-care. But for many of us, especially those from marginalised communities, this individualistic approach feels incomplete by ignoring the weight of the world we live in.
Decolonising Therapy is the movement changing that (slow and steadily). It’s an invitation to look at mental health through a lens of liberation, acknowledging the importance of seeing someone holistically, holding how our well-being is deeply tied to our history, our culture, our ancestors, and the systems of power that surround us.
The Core Pillars of. Decolonising Healing
To understand decolonising therapy, we have to look at how it differs from the traditional Western model. Here are the shifts that define this approach:
1. From Pathology to Context
Traditional psychology often labels a person's distress as a "disorder." A decolonised approach asks: Is this an unhealthy reaction of the individual, or a normal reaction to an abnormal environment? It recognises that anxiety and depression are often expressions of "systemic injury" - the result of living under the weight of racism, poverty, or displacement etc.
2. Community Care vs. Self-Care
Western culture prizes individualism, but many global cultures find strength in the collective. Decolonising therapy moves away from the idea that you have to "fix yourself" in isolation. It emphasises community care, ancestral wisdom, and the understanding that we are only as healthy as the relationships and environments we inhabit.
3. Dismantling the "Expert" Power Dynamic
In a typical clinical setting, the therapist is often seen as the all-knowing authority. A decolonising practitioner acts as a collaborator. They acknowledge their own biases and social positioning, creating a space where the client’s lived experience and cultural intuition are respected, guiding how we navigate your healing together.
4. Somatic and Ancestral Integration
Healing isn't just "talk therapy." Decolonising mental health means bringing the body back into the conversation. It involves:
• Somatic Awareness: Understanding how systemic trauma is stored in the nervous system.
• Ancestral Connection: Honouring the healing practices, rituals, and resilience passed down through generations that Western science has often dismissed.
Reflective Questions for Your Journey
If you are looking for a therapist or evaluating your current healing journey, consider these questions:
• Does my therapist acknowledge how my identity (race, gender, class) impacts my mental health?
• Do I feel like I have to "leave my culture at the door" when I enter a session?
• Is my "healing" defined by my productivity, or by my sense of peace and connection?
Recommended Resources for Further Journeying
- “Decolonizing Therapy” by Dr. Jennifer Mullen - Dr. Jennifer Mullen gave me the language to understand my decolonising journey when I first started realising therapy did not always support me in the way I needed.
- Dra. Rocio Rosales - she has a lot of free resources on YouTube and offers teachings.