How to Navigate Anxiety Through Social Justice Counselling
Hey there,
If you’ve stumbled upon this post, chances are you’re no stranger to anxiety. Sometimes it can feel like this relentless wave that crashes over you, sometimes out of the blue, leaving you gasping for air. But what if I told you that your anxiety isn’t just a personal struggle, but a reflection of something much larger, something systemic?
(Read: It’s. Not. Your. Fault.)
Let’s dive deeper, beyond the surface of individual experiences, and explore how systemic oppression plays a role in shaping our mental health, particularly anxiety. This isn’t your typical conversation about anxiety. We’re going deep, questioning the foundations, and exploring paths of healing that step away from traditional psychotherapy, which often overlooks the broader picture.
The Roots of Anxiety: Beyond the Individual
Anxiety is often viewed as an individual’s inability to cope with stress, a personal failing of sorts. But that narrative misses a crucial piece of the puzzle: the societal structures that contribute to our stress and anxiety. Systemic oppression, whether it’s racism, sexism, ableism, or classism, creates an environment that perpetuates anxiety.
For instance, consider the daily experiences of Black and Brown folx who navigate a world where racial profiling and discrimination are pervasive. The constant vigilance required to move through such spaces can heighten anxiety, a response to a very real threat to their safety and dignity.
Or think about individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds who face the chronic stress of making ends meet, often juggling multiple jobs with no safety net; all while having to rebut patronizing rhetoric around their “laziness” or “lack of decision making skills” being the cause of their suffering. The uncertainty and lack of resources not only trigger anxiety but also perpetuate a cycle of stress that’s hard to break.
The same can be said for femme, non-binary and trans folx existing under patriarchy, fat folx existing under anti-fat bias, neurodivergent and disabled folx living under ableism, and so on and so forth.
Decolonizing Psychotherapy: A Path to Healing
Traditional psychotherapy has its merits, but it often falls short when it doesn’t consider the systemic factors contributing to mental health issues. It’s rooted in a colonial framework that prioritizes individual pathology over collective healing and often ignores the cultural and systemic contexts of one’s experience.
Decolonizing psychotherapy, or social justice counseling, means acknowledging and addressing these limitations. It involves creating a therapeutic space that recognizes the impact of systemic oppression on mental health and incorporates practices that are inclusive and culturally sensitive.
Social justice counseling doesn’t offer a one-size-fits-all solution to healing. Instead, it encourages a journey of self-discovery, where healing is personalized and relational. It’s about building connections, fostering a sense of community, and finding strength in shared experiences.
The Power of Community and Collective Healing
One of the most powerful aspects of decolonizing psychotherapy, or social justice counselling, is the emphasis on community and collective healing. It’s about creating spaces where people can share their experiences, learn from each other, and find solace in the fact that they’re not alone. You might even find having a bipoc therapist or racial trauma therapist be able to share unique insights that can help you feel seen and heard in your healing work.
Support groups, community workshops, and healing circles become places of empowerment and healing. They offer a counter-narrative to the isolation often felt in anxiety, highlighting the importance of connection and shared humanity.
A New Perspective on Healing
Healing from anxiety, especially when it’s rooted in systemic oppression, is a journey that’s both personal and collective. It’s about finding therapies and practices that resonate with you, that acknowledge your whole being, and the world you navigate daily. A BIPOC therapist or racial trauma therapist can help you navigate the colonial roots of traditional psychotherapy and instead create a more contextual experience.
This journey isn’t linear, and it doesn’t have a clear endpoint. Healing can look different for everyone. It might be found in therapy sessions that honor your cultural identity, in community gatherings that make you feel seen and heard, or in personal practices that ground you in your values and beliefs.
You are not alone
If you’re navigating anxiety, remember that your feelings are valid, and they might be a reflection of something much bigger than personal stress. It’s okay to seek healing with a bipoc therapist or racial trauma therapist that acknowledges the full spectrum of your experience, one that looks beyond individual symptoms to the systemic roots and works to integrate both social justice and counselling.
As we continue to question and challenge the traditional frameworks of mental health, we open up new possibilities for healing. Let’s embrace the complexity of our experiences, support one another in our journeys, and build paths to healing that are as diverse and nuanced as we are.
Remember, you’re not alone in this. Your anxiety doesn’t define you, and it certainly doesn’t have to confine you. There’s a whole community out there ready to share this journey with you. Let’s explore these paths together, supporting and lifting each other up, as we navigate the tides of anxiety with compassion and understanding.
Embracing a Holistic Approach to Healing
A holistic approach to healing from anxiety, especially when considering the impact of systemic oppression, involves integrating various aspects of our lives. It’s about recognizing that our mental health is interconnected with our physical health, our social environments, our spiritual beliefs, and our cultural practices.
For example, incorporating traditional healing practices from one’s culture can be a powerful way to connect with one’s roots and find comfort in ancestral wisdom. Whether it’s through meditation, herbal remedies, or ceremonies, these practices offer a sense of belonging and resilience.
Moreover, engaging in activities that promote physical well-being, like yoga, dance, or sports, can also be therapeutic. They help release the physical tension that anxiety often brings, grounding us in our bodies and the present moment.
The Importance of Advocacy and Social Change
Addressing anxiety through the lens of systemic oppression also calls for advocacy and social change. It’s about recognizing that while individual healing is crucial, there are systemic issues at play that require collective action. Social justice and counselling often go hand in hand in being able to support individual change along with collective action.
Engaging in social justice movements, advocating for mental health resources in underserved communities, or simply raising awareness about the impact of systemic oppression on mental health can be empowering. It not only contributes to one’s sense of agency but also helps create a more equitable society where mental health is prioritized and accessible to all.
Personal Reflections and Community Stories
As we share our stories and listen to others, we find strength in our collective vulnerability. It’s through these shared experiences that we can challenge the stigma surrounding anxiety and mental health more broadly.
Consider the story of Alex, who found solace in a community group dedicated to LGBTQ+ individuals experiencing anxiety. For Alex, the group was more than a support system; it was a space where they could be fully themselves, share their struggles with systemic discrimination, and find understanding and acceptance. This sense of community was instrumental in Alex’s healing journey, highlighting the transformative power of finding one’s tribe.
The Role of Art and Creativity in Healing
Art and creativity also offer powerful avenues for expressing and processing anxiety. Whether it’s through painting, writing, music, or any other form of creative expression, art allows us to explore our feelings in a way that words sometimes cannot.
Creative practices can be particularly therapeutic for those dealing with anxiety stemming from systemic oppression. They provide a form of resistance, a way to reclaim one’s voice and identity in the face of societal challenges. Engaging in creative projects with others can further enhance this experience, fostering a sense of solidarity and shared purpose.
Moving Forward with Compassion and Curiosity
As we move forward, let’s approach our journeys with compassion and curiosity. Let’s be open to exploring various healing practices, advocating for change, and supporting each other in our quest for well-being.
Remember, healing is not about eradicating anxiety completely but about learning to navigate it with grace, understanding its roots, and finding ways to live fully despite it. It’s a testament to our resilience, our capacity to face challenges, and our unwavering hope for a better future.
In closing, I invite you to reflect on your own experiences with anxiety and consider how systemic factors may have shaped them. Let’s continue to question, learn, and grow together, embracing the many paths to healing that lie ahead. If you need support, we have a team of therapists that can help you in this deep work. You deserve to work with a BIPOC therapist and racial trauma therapist to support you in this journey.
Thank you for joining me on this journey. Your presence, your stories, and your resilience are what make this conversation so incredibly powerful. Together, we can shed light on the complexities of anxiety, break down the barriers that divide us, and build a more compassionate world where everyone has the support they need to thrive.
Remember, you’re not just navigating the tides of anxiety; you’re also part of a much larger wave of change, moving towards healing, justice, and collective well-being. Let’s keep riding these waves together through social justice counselling and advocacy.
Keywords: Social justice counselling, social justice and counselling, BIPOC therapist, Racial trauma therapist
