Cultural and Systemic Oppression

The Shame Resilience Theory developed by Dr. Brené Brown in 2006. I believe many of us live with internalized shame and the core beliefs about ourselves are clouded by this specific emotion. Over time, internalized shame can develop into symptoms anxiety and depression.

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.

Therapy is never culture neutral, and our cultural identities deserve to be held and celebrated alongside of challenging and confronting marginalization and oppression from larger systems. The way we move through the world is deeply impacted by the context of culture and systems of power and oppression. Messages we see, hear, and feel from these systems and intersections of cultural identity can negatively impact our mental health and healing. I want to hold space for you in a healing process

All of us are brilliant students of our society, — our families, communities, societies, culture. These factors shape our identities based on creed, gender, colour, etc. — which then shape our realities. To know who we are requires understanding these influences, which reflect this imperfect world as well as how it has shaped who we are. By doing so, we can tease out who we are at our “core,” from what we’ve been taught. I look forward to shifting through these layers with you to find your true

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.

Humans are brilliant learners, absorbing messages from our environments — families, society, culture — these external influences shape our identities based on creed, gender, colour, etc., which then shape our realities. Knowing who we are requires understanding these influences, and how it has influenced our lenses and behaviours. Only then, can we be empowered to feel in control of our lives.

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 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 aim to create a space where my clients can safely discuss how the systems around them either uplift their wellbeing or bring it down. It is our responsibility as therapists to hold space for complicated truths and also acknowledge that the wounds of all oppressed people are related to each other. Aside from being a therapist, I am nationally recognized leader in mental health policy and equity, and this awareness fosters a deep empathy I have for the experiences of the historically oppressed

I work with individuals facing cultural and systemic oppression because I believe in the power of compassion and understanding to create meaningful change. Many people experience discrimination and marginalization based on their ethnicity, race, gender, sexual orientation, or socio-economic status. These systemic barriers can lead to a host of emotional and psychological challenges, including anxiety, depression, and a diminished sense of self-worth.

I work with every individual to help them understand their intersectionality of identity (racial/ethnic identity, immigration status, gender, sexuality, class, religion, disability, trauma history, etc.) and how systematic oppression leads to the pathologizing of people who hold marginalized identities on a micro, meso, and macro levels.

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.

I am passionate about creating a sense of identity and pursuing changes that benefit all my clients, focusing on those who have been oppressed and have historically been affected by systematic issues and cultural oppression.

Systems of oppression including but not limited to racism, heterosexism, cisgenderism, sexism, and ableism are often at the root of many of the suffering that bring people to therapy. I have 20 yrs of experience holding space to witness these experiences, to counter and prevent internalization, and develop strategies of disruption. I have trained and supervised therapists and other human services professionals to address oppression as an essential part of clinical work.

All staff are people of color and participate in trainings aimed at enhancing our ability to practice from an anti-oppressive lens.

A few common themes thread throughout my areas of focus, such as racial trauma, systemic oppression, colonization, and even state-sanctioned violence to name a few. As a multicultural therapist, I may be curious about how cultural factors influence your experiences with risk and safety. Together we can explore these issues in a calm and non-judgmental way. My goal is to hear you, see you and understand you.

Poverty, environmental concerns, resource management, support, family patterns, relationship history,

I believe that most of our mental health “problems” are rooted in the problematic social environments that have impacted us. I am hella good at creating space to deep dive into the ways you have been shaped by systems of oppression and cultural experiences. Together, we can unlearn damaging and false narratives and heal the pain they have caused you.