DECOLONIZING THERAPY

A new resource for professionals that serves as call to action for therapists to politicize their practice through an emotional decolonial lens.

An essential work that centers colonial and historical trauma in a framework for healing, Decolonizing Therapy illuminates that all therapy is - and always has been - inherently political. To better understand the mental health oppression and institutional violence that exists today, we must become familiar with the root of disembodiment from our histories, homelands, and healing practices. Only then will readers see how colonial, historical, and intergenerational legacies have always played a role in the treatment of mental health. This book is the emotional companion and guide to decolonization. It is an invitation for Eurocentrically trained clinicians to acknowledge privileged and oppressed parts while relearning what we thought we knew. Ignoring collective global trauma makes delivering effective therapy impossible; not knowing how to interrogate privilege (as a therapist, client, or both) makes healing elusive; and shying away from understanding how we as professionals may be participating in oppression is irresponsible. Jennifer Mullan (she/her), PsyD, is educated as a clinical psychologist and is founder of Decolonizing Therapy, LLC, where she teaches her "Politicizing Your Practice" series. She is also the creator of the popular Instagram account @decolonizingtherapy. Recipient of Essence magazine's 2020 Essential Hero Award in the category of Mental Health, she lives in Montclair, New Jersey.