Seeing Mental Health Through a Decolonized Lens
Many mental health systems originated without us in mind. It has long been shaped by Western and Eurocentric ideals, often disregarding the varied lived experiences, cultural histories, and collective traumas of marginalized communities. A decolonized lens in mental health care acknowledges and addresses colonialism, systemic oppression, and historical trauma on individuals and communities. Moreover, it aims to cultivate and center the person’s experience and community’s healing ways instead of just relying on Western models – models who were culturally extracted and appropriated from many Indigenous communities.
What is a Decolonized Approach to Therapy?
A decolonized approach to therapy seeks to dismantle oppressive structures within mental health care, centering the voices of those historically silenced. It acknowledges the impact of colonization, intergenerational trauma, and systemic injustice on mental well-being. Unlike conventional therapeutic models that focus solely on individual pathology, decolonized therapy considers the broader socio-political context that shapes mental health and historical appropriation of Indigenous models for wellbeing.
The Role of Liberation Psychology
Liberation psychology, pioneered by Ignacio Martín-Baró alongside many members from communities in current El Salvador, is foundational to decolonized therapy as they overlap on their principle aim. It shifts the focus from individualized mental distress to the collective struggles of marginalized groups, recognizing that systemic oppression significantly contributes to psychological suffering.
Key aspects of liberation psychology include:
- Contextualizing Mental Health: Understanding psychological distress within historical and socio-political contexts.
- Community-Based Healing: Prioritizing collective empowerment and different ways of activism as forms of therapy.
- Consciousness-Raising: Encouraging clients to critically examine and challenge societal structures that perpetuate harm.
So, How Does This All Look Like in the Therapy Room? Intersection of Ideology and Practice
Liberation or decolonized therapy does not remain a theoretical concept; it is a practice that transforms how mental health professionals engage with clients. It requires the therapists themselves to do their own internal work in their own lives, to then foster and cultivate that in the therapeutic space. It is an interconnected work. It involves:
- Affirming Identity: Recognizing and validating diverse cultural identities and lived experiences.
- Challenging Eurocentrism: Moving beyond Western diagnostic frameworks to embrace holistic and indigenous healing practices.
- Centering Justice and Advocacy: Addressing systemic barriers in access to care and advocating for policy changes that support mental well-being for all.
Why This Matters Now More Than Ever
As racial and social inequities persist, the need for decolonized therapy grows. From immigrant communities facing displacement trauma to Black and Indigenous individuals navigating historical oppression, conventional therapy often falls short in addressing the depth of these experiences. A decolonized lens aims to ensure mental health care as truly inclusive, transformative, and socially conscious for radical healing.
Call to Action: Embracing Decolonized Healing
At Salgado Psychotherapy, we are committed to providing culturally attuned, justice-centered therapy that uplifts marginalized voices. If you are seeking a therapeutic space that acknowledges your history, identity, and collective struggles, we are here to support you. Let’s work together to reclaim healing and build a more liberated future. Schedule a consultation today!