1st Edition
Trauma-Informed Psychotherapy for BIPOC Communities Decolonizing Mental Health
Grounded in trauma-informed approaches, intersectionality theory, and critical race theory, Trauma-Informed Psychotherapy for BIPOC Communities: Decolonizing Mental Health embodies psychotherapeutic practices via anti-racist, anti-oppressive, and culturally responsive paradigms.
Complete with practical case studies, psychoeducational frameworks, and the author’s own inclusion and healing therapy (IHT) model, content from this book inspires practitioners to update their therapeutic competencies to effectively support BIPOC clients.
This book is an essential read for current and future intersectional psychologists, psychotherapists, social workers, counsellors, lawyers, educators, and healthcare professionals who actively work with BIPOC communities.
Introduction to Trauma-Informed Psychotherapy for BIPOC Communities: Decolonizing Mental Health
Part I: Dismantling and Understanding Trauma
Introduction
Chapter 1: Defining and Naming Trauma
Chapter 2: Myths and Types of Trauma
Chapter 3: Culturally Responsive Trauma-Informed Psychotherapy
Part 2 Deconstructing Systemic Racism
Introduction
Chapter 4: Conceptualizing Racism
Chapter 5: Levels, Forms, and Movements of Racism
Chapter 6: Mental Health Implications and Developing an Antiracist Stance
Part 3 Listening to Intergenerational BIPOC Narratives
Introduction
Narratives by Black, Indigenous, South Asian, Latine, and Asian individuals:
Jamal, Mikom, Prem, Isla, and Yin.
Part 4 Navigating Clinical Interventions: Linking Theory to Practice
Introduction
Chapter 7: Decolonizing Mental Health Practices
Chapter 8: Inclusion and Healing Therapy
Chapter 9: Revisiting BIPOC Narratives
Part 5 Concluding Thoughts and Offerings
Chapter 10: Sustaining Healing through Community Care and Self Care
Biography
Pavna K. Sodhi, EdD (she/her), is a registered psychotherapist, author, and adjunct professor residing in Ontario, Canada. Dr. Sodhi’s research spans over 25 years with specialization in immigrant and BIPOC mental health, multicultural counselling, and trauma-informed care. She credits her Punjabi-Sikh upbringing and lived experience for her continued interest in these timely topics. As a productive ally, she takes pride in decentring systemic racism, breaking barriers, and encouraging others to be culturally responsive.
“Dr. Sodhi effectively elucidates the impact on BIPOC of colonization, racism, and other dominating ideologies, presenting complex concepts in accessible ways, alongside practical strategies, and models for embracing a trauma-informed, anti-racist, anti-oppressive, culturally responsive approach to psychotherapy. Through her intentionally decolonizing language and unapologetic intent to abolish racism towards BIPOC communities, she both disrupts and decentres dominating eurocentric, colonial, and white supremacist approaches to health and healing. Readers will love the practical tips for enacting change in existing systems of oppression and for deepening awareness of the implications of their own embeddedness within these systems.”
Sandra Collins, PhD, RPsych, Researcher, Author, Consultant, and Curriculum Designer on Culturally Responsive and Socially Just Counselling, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
“An incredible book by Dr. Sodhi that brings together psychology, physiology, trauma and social justice in an engaging manner! Content is presented in a clear, applicable manner for clinicians in training, or seasoned clinicians looking to expand their therapeutic knowledge of diverse populations. Undoubtedly, this book is of significant importance in its contribution to the research literature given the inclusivity of content, BIPOC representation, and has wonderful potential to empower those who wish to help clients break systemic barriers.”
Dr. Nita Tewari, Founder and Licensed Psychologist at SITARA Psychology Center, Newport Beach, California, United States of America
“Dr. Sodhi calls for a shift to decolonize professional practice beyond tokenistic aspiration. Her book offers a crucial nuancing of racial trauma and skillful application of her Inclusion and Healing Therapy Framework, convincing us that healing the pain of oppression cannot happen without personalized cultural attention. Irrefutably, professionals can no longer put off decolonizing their practice, and this book rightly encourages creating and holding that space as productive allies in anti-racism.”
Cristelle Audet, PhD, Registered Psychotherapist, Associate Professor, University of Ottawa, Co-editor of Social Justice and Counselling: Discourse in Practice, Ontario, Canada
“A compelling and much-needed book for our times, when access to mental health resources for a growing and diverse population is needed more than ever, Trauma-Informed Psychotherapy for BIPOC Communities: Decolonizing Mental Health provides crucial insights on the effects of various forms of trauma and racism and how particular considerations in the healing process must be regarded for the well-being of our clients and our communities. Dr. Sodhi provides a comprehensive, yet concise background with clinical insights from her own healing journey and those of the numerous BIPOC clients she has served.”
David Glickman, MEd, Registered Psychotherapist, Algonquin College, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
