“When you’re like, No, I’m not doing it,’ that’s when you get all of that defense around, ‘Well, why not? Didn’t you want us to learn about racism?’”
In this week’s episode of Off the Cuff with Danny LoPriore, writer, co-founder of the Amplify Melanated Voices Movement, and millennial Licensed Clinical Mental Health Therapist Alishia McCullough is joining Danny to discuss her work and journey to the mental health field. Together, they unpack why representation in mental health work is necessary and the generational trauma and PTSD that exists in communities of color.
“I will say in a lot of the programs that are PWI programs, which for folks who might not know, Predominantly White Institutions, I think those programs are still catching up to thinking about diversity or thinking about social identity and how treatment models look different.. I really would like for more programs to incorporate and integrate other lenses into this treatment because that’s what helps us work with different people.” (7:30)
While the past few years have brought some social shifts with the introduction of the Black Lives Matter movement, Danny and Alishia discuss the New Age white guilt that’s become even more present in her field and why people of color need to set solid boundaries around their work, energy, and time, specifically when working in mental health.
“When you’re like, No, I’m not doing it,’ that’s when you get all of that defense around, ‘Well, why not? Didn’t you want us to learn about racism?’” (22:12)
Her work has also centered on helping individuals through eating disorders and diet culture by offering them the tools to ground their bodies when certain feelings arise with food. So Danny and Alishia highlight why the healthcare system needs to abandon this “one size fits all” approach, the present-day institutions that are reminiscent of a history of slavery, and why she decided to build her company, Black and Embodied Counseling and Consulting. She’ll also be releasing a book within the next year to fully explore the importance of representation in mental health, how to care for our bodies, and more.
“I’m currently working on – well, finishing up – a book called Claiming the Black Body. It’s gonna be huge. It’s really based on eating disorders and black communities and the trauma and the embodiment – all the things we’ve been talking about – alongside unpacking the healing work as well.” (56:11)
Listen in on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and check out our Off the Cuff with Danny LoPriore Instagram to stay up-to-date on our podcast news! Off The Cuff with Danny LoPriore is presented by 1AND1. Become 1% Better, Together at www.1and1life.com.
