The Gift of [Anti-Racist] Therapy

Identity

Why You Can’t Find BIPOC to Hire in Your Private Practice 

Lyrica Fils-Aimé LCSW-R, RPT-S on July 12, 2023

There are challenges to hiring BIPOC in therapeutic spaces. But they are not what most people think.

There are challenges to hiring BIPOC in therapeutic spaces. But they are not what most people think.

Career

How Black People Can Better Navigate Unsafe Workplaces

Lyrica Fils-Aimé LCSW-R, RPT-S on July 6, 2023

Overt and subtle racism at work can induce stress on Black individuals. Culturally affirming therapy can help counteract the negative effects.

Overt and subtle racism at work can induce stress on Black individuals. Culturally affirming therapy can help counteract the negative effects.

Race and Ethnicity

In Defense of Our Good Intentions 

Lyrica Fils-Aimé LCSW-R, RPT-S on March 13, 2023

Many of us try to understand other identities and remain politically correct. But once we realize we've caused harm, we act predictably.

Many of us try to understand other identities and remain politically correct. But once we realize we've caused harm, we act predictably.

Motivation

How We Support Rugged Individualism in Therapy

Lyrica Fils-Aimé LCSW-R, RPT-S on November 14, 2022

Do you guide clients to reach their goals and create boundaries from problematic family members? Sometimes we are promoting "rugged individualism" based on our beliefs.

Do you guide clients to reach their goals and create boundaries from problematic family members? Sometimes we are promoting "rugged individualism" based on our beliefs.

Politics

Why “Respectability” is Harmful in Therapy 

Lyrica Fils-Aimé LCSW-R, RPT-S on December 29, 2021

How do respectability politics show up in your practice?

How do respectability politics show up in your practice?

Identity

To Be Anti-Oppressive, CBT Must Consider Identity

Lyrica Fils-Aimé LCSW-R, RPT-S on September 16, 2021

Wondering why CBT is not working with a client? Have you validated their identity and cultural context?

Wondering why CBT is not working with a client? Have you validated their identity and cultural context?

Psychology

Our Clinical Therapeutic Modalities Are Oppressive

Lyrica Fils-Aimé LCSW-R, RPT-S on June 16, 2021

Our therapeutic modalities are only anti-racist if we do the work to decolonize them.

Our therapeutic modalities are only anti-racist if we do the work to decolonize them.

Trauma

How Therapists Should Show Up

Lyrica Fils-Aimé LCSW-R, RPT-S on May 27, 2021

What do we do with such polarized views on conflicts in the East?

What do we do with such polarized views on conflicts in the East?

Trauma

"My Ancestors Wore Chains": Navigating Ancestral Trauma

Lyrica Fils-Aimé LCSW-R, RPT-S on April 30, 2021

Ancestral trauma shows up in messaging and stories passed down to children. How is ancestral trauma showing up in your clients today? Are you acknowledging it, or bypassing it?

Ancestral trauma shows up in messaging and stories passed down to children. How is ancestral trauma showing up in your clients today? Are you acknowledging it, or bypassing it?

Stress

Create a Racial Stress Recovery Plan

Lyrica Fils-Aimé LCSW-R, RPT-S on April 13, 2021

Racial trauma can occur on a regular basis. Help yourself and your clients by making a plan to restore well-being.

Racial trauma can occur on a regular basis. Help yourself and your clients by making a plan to restore well-being.

Trauma

Ancestral Traumas, Wisdom, and Resilience

Lyrica Fils-Aimé LCSW-R, RPT-S on March 30, 2021

We are aware of the inequities Black and brown people experience. What is less discussed, however, is their resilience in the face of generational trauma.

We are aware of the inequities Black and brown people experience. What is less discussed, however, is their resilience in the face of generational trauma.

Friends

How to Help Your AAPI Friends Right Now

Lyrica Fils-Aimé LCSW-R, RPT-S on March 26, 2021

Unsure of what to do about racism directed at Asian American and Pacific Islander communities? Focusing on action, rather than performance, may help.

Unsure of what to do about racism directed at Asian American and Pacific Islander communities? Focusing on action, rather than performance, may help.

Health

Is It Racist to Only Accept Out-of-Pocket Fees for Therapy?

Lyrica Fils-Aimé LCSW-R, RPT-S on March 8, 2021

Private practice clinicians contribute to the mental health access gap.

Private practice clinicians contribute to the mental health access gap.

Bias

How Can Collectivity Heal Us?

Lyrica Fils-Aimé LCSW-R, RPT-S on March 1, 2021

Collective meetings feed our spirit and even warn us when we are in need of restoration or active growth.

Collective meetings feed our spirit and even warn us when we are in need of restoration or active growth.

Career

Spirit Murdering in Psychotherapy

Lyrica Fils-Aimé LCSW-R, RPT-S on December 3, 2020

Does "spirit murdering" occur in your practice as a therapist?

Does "spirit murdering" occur in your practice as a therapist?

Bias

How to Deal with Black Public Lynchings in Psychotherapy

Lyrica Fils-Aimé LCSW-R, RPT-S on October 27, 2020

Do your Black clients discuss how they are dealing with the world around them? What should you do if they do or do not?

Do your Black clients discuss how they are dealing with the world around them? What should you do if they do or do not?

Career

Relearning Therapeutic Techniques to Work With Race

Lyrica Fils-Aimé LCSW-R, RPT-S on October 24, 2020

CBT and Validation techniques don't always work across racial difference.

CBT and Validation techniques don't always work across racial difference.

Bias

How White Therapists Can Help Black Clients—Right Now

Lyrica Fils-Aimé LCSW-R, RPT-S on October 23, 2020

What can white therapists say and do to provide therapeutic space for Black clients dealing with systems in the United States? Most of our learned techniques do not work.

What can white therapists say and do to provide therapeutic space for Black clients dealing with systems in the United States? Most of our learned techniques do not work.

What is it like for a therapist to experience a client's racial transgressions?

Health

Why We Need to Be Anti-Racist Therapists for All Our Clients

Lyrica Fils-Aimé LCSW-R, RPT-S on August 1, 2020

We need to interrogate and reflect on the white domination of our therapeutic practices. Then we can offer the true "Gift of Therapy."

We need to interrogate and reflect on the white domination of our therapeutic practices. Then we can offer the true "Gift of Therapy."