Western practices often prioritize talk therapy, as the primary means of addressing psychological issues. While this approach can be beneficial for many, it may not fully encompass the complexities of human experience and can overlook the deeper existential struggles that individuals may face. With these limitations of traditional therapy, therapists, like Patricia Duggan, are leading the charge in decolonizing mental health.
Duggan, a licensed therapist specializing in BIPOC individuals with complex trauma, notes that the current mental health system wasn’t created with BIPOC needs in mind. “Instead, it often serves to oppress, weaponize and pathologize our genuine experiences of systemic oppression and discrimination,” she told 21Ninety.
Decolonizing Mental Health
Duggan’s journey toward decolonizing therapy began early in her career. She originally aimed to only practice talk therapy; however, she quickly realized its limitations. She felt like talk therapy was “impersonal” and “stale,” preventing her from connecting with her clients.
This realization prompted her to explore alternative approaches to therapy that centered around the individual as a whole. Duggan highlights the importance of vulnerability and connection in therapy, especially with individuals impacted by systemic forces.
“I was conditioned to believe that my energy had no place in the therapeutic space,” she said. “Now, I openly express care for my clients, acknowledging and sharing in their pain and other emotions. This level of vulnerability and connection is something I never would have considered four years ago.”
As she has grown in her work, she aims to empower and work with clients as authentically as possible.
“Decolonizing [mental health] involves showing up authentically human in sessions, embracing ancestral medicine and wisdom and rejecting the notion of rigid professionalism,” Duggan explained. “This means embracing ancestral medicine and wisdom, inviting clients to bring their ancestors into the session. It means rejecting the notion of rigid professionalism, allowing myself to use self-disclosure, curse, pray and even cry with individuals.”
Creating a Movement
Duggan encourages other therapists to embrace their innate wisdom and humanity. She prefers to work together with clients rather than being looked at as the only person with the answers.
“It means moving away from behavior-focused approaches, like cognitive behavioral therapy, and avoiding positioning myself as the sole expert in the room,” she explained. “Instead, I prioritize collaboration within the therapeutic relationship and emphasize how individual experiences connect to broader collective contexts.”
The need for compassion and authenticity in therapy is imperative to Duggan. Her trainings taught her to “operate as a blank slate” instead of a human when navigating sessions with a client. She asserts that this adds to the colonialism of mental health. Now, she focuses on having human interactions and implores other therapists to do the same.
“The true experts are already here, sitting across from you, sharing their stories and seeking support,” she said.
The challenge to uproot traditional approaches to therapy and advocate for a more inclusive and culturally sensitive practice is far from over. However, Duggan believes that addressing the deeper existential struggles that individuals may face on their journey toward healing is a start toward a more inclusive mental health landscape.