Thoughts on Therapy and Liberation

As part of my coursework in graduate school, I read a book called “Unfaithful Angels: How Social Work Has Abandoned its Mission” by Harry Specht and Mark E. Courtney. It is a book that criticizes the modern day social worker who works in private practice, touting individualized healing practices. I recall this book bringing up a lot of mixed feelings in myself and those in my cohort. It’s a complex topic with a complex history. However, I’ve always taken from this book the understanding that individual healing is a limited approach. This does not mean it isn’t important or useful in certain contexts.

This book challenged me to really value a systems lens when looking at what is happening for people today. What this means is that I look not just at the individual’s inner world, but also the external world, including the systems that impact that individual: their family system, neighborhood, community, schools, government, health care system, legal system, and cultural context, to name a few. We do not live in a vacuum and our healing doesn’t typically happen in one.

As I progress in my journey of understanding what healing really means, I increasingly cannot avoid the importance of liberation. After all, if we were to live within systems that prioritized all needs and valued equity, I truly believe many of the challenges that contribute to mental health struggles would be eliminated or, at least, greatly decreased, making room for any remaining needs for healing to take place. For example, economic challenges impact a family system, which impacts all members of that family and how they interact with each other. A family within a social system that provides economic support can live with less fear and stress. This will give the family system the security needed to move towards individual and interpersonal healing within that family system, if needed. However, a family that is living in constant fear of economic hardship may not have the resources to pursue healing at the personal and interpersonal level within the family system. Additionally, a family living in economic security may develop less personal and interpersonal wounding in the first place.

Externally caused wounds are closely related to inequity and prejudice in our society. Dominant groups have historically marginalized those they deem “other.” Those who are othered are often refused the same access to resources. In today’s society, this can be seen in disparities of generational wealth, access to education and jobs, and much more. Yes, we are talking about the impact of colonialism which has created a racist, ableist, patriarchal society.

So, what do we do about this? Well, I do not have an answer, but I do think it’s worth considering how liberation is work done internally, interpersonally, socially, culturally, legally, and in many other forms. Because oppression is widespread, impacting every aspect of society, there are many ways to begin to dismantle it. Therapy can be one place to start this process.

In the journey towards self-discovery and mental well-being, the intersection of therapy and liberation offers a profound avenue for personal empowerment. Liberation, in this context, refers to the process of breaking free from internal and external constraints, allowing individuals to authentically engage with their true selves. Therapy, with its diverse approaches and methodologies, becomes a catalyst for this transformative journey.

Understanding Mental Health and Liberation

Mental health is intricately linked to our capacity for liberation. We can question whether mental health struggles are truly illness or a normal response to oppressive circumstances. We can question how we contribute to oppression and how we are impacted by it. There is so much nuance here and therapy can act as a space for exploration.

By delving into the complexities of the mind, individuals can identify patterns of thinking and behavior that may be restricting their freedom. Through empowering therapeutic processes, like self reflection and self exploration, clients gain insights into their lived experience, paving the way for liberation. Moving towards our authentic selves can be an act of liberation in itself.

Empowerment Through Self-Discovery

Central to the journey of liberation is the process of self-discovery. Therapists employ various tools to help clients unpack personal narratives and challenge limiting beliefs. This introspective work enables individuals to rewrite their stories, fostering a sense of empowerment that is fundamental to liberation.

Identifying and confronting internalized oppression is a pivotal aspect of therapy. By recognizing and dismantling self-limiting beliefs that have been ingrained through societal conditioning, clients can reclaim agency over their lives. Building self-awareness becomes a powerful tool for dismantling internalized barriers, embracing personal freedom, and developing a sense of accountability.

At the same time, it is important to remember that not everyone has the same level of safety in embracing personal freedom of expression. Therapy can help an individual to embrace themselves in a pace and way that is most comfortable for them and even to tolerate legitimate feelings of unsafety.

Liberation in Relationships

Liberation is not a solitary pursuit; it extends to the realm of relationships. Therapy offers a space for individuals to navigate power dynamics within relationships, fostering healthy and liberating connections. Couples and family therapy become instrumental in promoting collective liberation, creating spaces where all individuals can authentically express themselves.

Activism and Therapy

At some point, some will begin to see that what is wounded within themselves, is inexorably tied to what is wounded outside themselves–society itself. It can be part of a therapeutic process to become involved in activism.

The link between therapy and activism is a dynamic one. Integrating therapeutic practices into activism can help individuals sustain their commitment to social change. Addressing burnout and compassion fatigue within the activist community becomes essential, highlighting the symbiotic relationship between personal well-being and societal transformation.

At the end of the day, I do not see true liberation as something that can be done individually. The true liberation of all people means we must rely on each other. At the same time, individual therapy can be an important step in walking as your authentic self (which can be an act of liberation itself), identifying causes that are important, and learning how to participate in greater, widespread liberation in a way that is within your own integrity.