When people think of therapy, they often picture a couch in a stuffy, clinical room, expecting to be told what’s ‘wrong’ with them and then sent on their way. But therapy isn’t about giving you answers; it’s about journeying alongside you as you dive deep into your experiences. Sure, therapists bring understanding, skills, and a safe space, but ultimately, we’re here to support you in discovering where you are in life, how you position yourself, and how you relate to the world around you.
So, what makes this ‘revolutionary’ or part of a ‘resistance’ to social conditioning? It might seem ‘extra’ or ‘over the top,’ but therapy can be a tool of empowerment. It helps us understand ourselves better and shows us how to advocate for ourselves and others, recognizing our interconnectedness in a world that often feels heavy.
Given that therapy was founded within Eurocentric, colonial ideologies, there’s a real danger of assuming an ‘expert’ role over our clients’ lives. However, many therapists are questioning and challenging this approach. Life is nuanced, and we all have our own privileges and blind spots. As a therapist, I work to understand these in myself, holding space without assuming the ‘expert’ role or pathologizing clients’ experiences.
Feminist theorists like Fredrickson and Roberts (1997) have written about how we often internalize social values, shaping our self-perceptions. Together in therapy, we can challenge and dismantle the ableist, sexist, racist, transphobic, or homophobic prejudices that have been internalized, limiting your self-understanding. We can also acknowledge the damage and pain of existing in a world that’s often hostile to your very existence. Therapy gives us a space to explore your strengths while also grieving the reality of living in a society that marginalizes difference.
Root (1999) argued that identity isn’t a ‘given,’ but something ‘accomplished.’ Therapy is just one part of creating a safe, non-gaslighting space where you can grow, experience, and come to terms with what you need to move forward with your life and goals.
Therapy isn’t magical, but it can be a powerful tool for exploring the situational, environmental, and socio-political structures that loom over your life. It helps carve out a non-judgmental corner of the world where you can tend to your wounds, find respite, and connect with your strengths and sense of empowerment. That’s pretty rebellious and revolutionary when you consider that the status quo demands conformity, shame, and suppression.
To co-opt a the opening line of 90s punk band Bikini Kill's, Double Dare Ya:
"We're Bikini Kill and we want revolution [therapy]-style now!"
If you'd like to get started on your therapeutic journey, get in touch! I look forward to hearing from you ✨ I wish you all a happy week!
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