Cultural and Systemic Oppression

As a therapist committed to dismantling cultural and systemic oppression, I provide a safe space for you to explore the impact of social injustices on mental health. Let's navigate these complexities together and generate empowerment, healing, and social change.

I actively stand against systemic oppression in my work and my life. As a cisgender, white person with class privilege this is an ongoing commitment and effort, and one that happens outside of the therapy room (in my own therapy and through my relationships, supports and ongoing training). All that said - I still screw up all the time, and listen and take accountable, relationally-driven action when people tell me so.

Being an immigrant and minority in a foreign country, I personally experienced more systemic oppression. I related with clients who also experience in oppression

I assist individuals to navigate the systemic oppression experience through life and within our systems, family, and workforce. I use self-compassion and strategies to process the daily impact of systemic oppression on daily life.

When you live life uncertain if spaces have been carved out for you, it impacts your concept of safety; your quality of life; thoughts of self; thereby, your mental health. Cultural and systemic oppression, is an unfortunate part of existence outside of the perceived dominant group. Through art therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and other modalities we can begin to address the impact of oppression on the psyche and decolonize the mind.

Yams developed familiarity working with cultural and system oppression from necessity acquiring the skills to advocate for clients facing bias and discrimination as inherent parts of the therapeutic system, as well as from personal experience.

Clinically, I work from a holistic, relational, empowerment focused and intersectional feminist perspective. I recognize that areas of oppression are linked and cumulative. In response, I work to help clients navigate these complex dynamics and improve their quality of life. As a Cis-White, Able-Bodied female, it is my job to do the background work and create a space where clients can explore, learn and understand themselves better. You are the expert of your life.

In my graduate education, I have both taken and taught classes on racism and systemic oppression. In my clinical practice, I see systemic oppression to be more then race; it also includes gender, sexuality, ethical non-monogamy, ability, citizenship, etc. Much of my experience working with cultural oppression include the manifestations of anxiety and depression.

All of my practices are shaped by being anti-oppressive (to reduce harm), liberatory (to find ways of healing and thriving), and de-colonial (challenging the harmful impacts of colonization and white supremacy culture). I support clients from diverse and often marginalized backgrounds, include LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, immigrants, and diverse abilities.

Have you experienced rejection because of your race, gender, or sexuality and are exploring what living as your authentic self looks like? Or are you wrestling with your faith as a result of experiencing the effects of racism, sexism, or other forms of injustice within your faith community? In our sessions, you will receive support in releasing the painful messages in your life. Together, we will sit in the tension and reconcile all parts of you so that you can embody authentic self with joy.

Are you feeling the weight of oppression more acutely? Social media and globalization has connected us all, but has also exposed us to more vicarious trauma by witnessing the victimization of members of targeted groups, especially with the rise of nationalism, xenophobia, and the effects of capitalism, globally. We can work together together to sort though your thoughts and feelings, and decide what kinds of action you'd like to take (if any) to heal and honor your culture and yourself.

In our diverse world, understanding the nuances of cultural and systemic oppression is crucial. I am deeply committed to recognizing and addressing the unique challenges faced by marginalized communities. My expertise is rooted in extensive research and a genuine dedication to promoting equity and understanding. I strive to provide a space where individuals can explore their experiences, find validation, and work towards empowerment.

I am so happy that we are finally naming the issue instead of silencing, erasing, gaslighting, pathologizing or criminalizing those who are at the effect of it. The ways in which the violence manifests in people's lives can take many forms. And the symptoms can resemble other issues. But if we cannot differentiate cause from response, we will not be able to effectively engage or heal.

I consider myself a strong activist and work hard to understand how issues of oppression impact the problems presented in therapy. I understand how racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, and any form of bigotry both on an institutional level and personal level, create huge amounts of stress in different populations. I taught for over a decade in a masters level course around understanding issues of oppression and internal biases and how they impact therapy.

Developed familiarity working with cultural and system oppression from necessity acquiring the skills to advocate for clients facing bias and discrimination as inherent parts of the therapeutic system, as well as from personal experience.

My dissertation investigated body image across diverse populations including WOC. In particular I am interested in how WOC use their bodies as a commodity in order to compensate for systemic-level oppression and white-cis-heteronormative dynamics. Clinically, I work from a holistic, relational, empowerment focused and intersectional feminist perspective. I recognize that areas of oppression are linked and cumulative. I strive to use my privileges to help others create clarity and

I have expertise in assisting individuals who have experienced displacement and endured cultural or systemic oppression. My professional focus revolves around aiding them in the processing of trauma while fostering self-acceptance of their identities and facilitating the healing process.

I chose to complete my studies in Social Work, specifically to study systems of oppression in our society, with a strong focus on religious systems of oppression. I am well-versed in religious systems of oppression, but this understanding translates to any hierarchical system: racism, workplace discrimination, family systems of oppression, interpersonal oppression (abuse and neglect), and financial oppression (capitalism). Where you have humans in societies together, there is always risk.