Culturally Speaking

Bias

Be an Upstander, Not a Bystander

Monnica T Williams Ph.D. on April 15, 2024

Unlike a bystander, who passively watches events unfold without intervening, an upstander takes action to support fairness and respect. Sometimes that means breaking the rules.

Unlike a bystander, who passively watches events unfold without intervening, an upstander takes action to support fairness and respect. Sometimes that means breaking the rules.

Race and Ethnicity

Why It Can Be So Hard to Talk About Race

Monnica T Williams Ph.D. on April 1, 2024

When laws codify white fragility, how do we learn to have authentic dialogues about racial injustice? It's time for courageous conversations about race.

When laws codify white fragility, how do we learn to have authentic dialogues about racial injustice? It's time for courageous conversations about race.

Race and Ethnicity

Civil Courage is Needed for Racial Justice Allyship

Monnica T Williams Ph.D. on March 31, 2024

Facing an enemy in battle takes courage, but standing alone against your friends requires a special kind of courage we don't learn in school.

Facing an enemy in battle takes courage, but standing alone against your friends requires a special kind of courage we don't learn in school.

Forest Bathing

Five Ways Nature Can Improve Your Mental Health

Monnica T Williams Ph.D. on March 22, 2024

Is it time to get outside? Nature offers many mental and physical health benefits.

Is it time to get outside? Nature offers many mental and physical health benefits.

Psychedelics

The Magic Behind the Molecules: Psilocybin vs. Alcohol

Monnica T Williams Ph.D. on December 13, 2023

Learn about the science of spirits and magic mushrooms. Alcohol and psilocybin have different chemical structures and very different effects on the body and mind.

Learn about the science of spirits and magic mushrooms. Alcohol and psilocybin have different chemical structures and very different effects on the body and mind.

Therapy

Working with Therapy Clients Who Feel Oppressed by Racism

Monnica T Williams Ph.D. on June 9, 2023

What should therapists do when clients of color broaden their experiences of racism and generalize these into global conclusions about the world?

What should therapists do when clients of color broaden their experiences of racism and generalize these into global conclusions about the world?

Parental Alienation

Children Are Harmed When Decisions Are Based on Stereotypes

Monnica T Williams Ph.D. on May 25, 2023

When Omar picked up his son from his ex-wife's care he noticed clear signs of abuse, but he could not get anyone to help him keep his child safe.

When Omar picked up his son from his ex-wife's care he noticed clear signs of abuse, but he could not get anyone to help him keep his child safe.

Psychology

Opposing Voices in Psychology

Monnica T Williams Ph.D. on November 14, 2022

A Personal Perspective: I gave two talks at a local conference – one on psychedelics and one on the state licensing board. Guess which was more controversial?

A Personal Perspective: I gave two talks at a local conference – one on psychedelics and one on the state licensing board. Guess which was more controversial?

Trauma

Using Ayahuasca and Psychedelic Plants to Treat Racial Trauma

Monnica T Williams Ph.D. on November 2, 2022

Psychedelic plant medicines like ayahuasca can foster wellness and healing in people of color coping with the pain of racism.

Psychedelic plant medicines like ayahuasca can foster wellness and healing in people of color coping with the pain of racism.

Relationships

Social Capital and Coping: Friendships Make the Difference

Monnica T Williams Ph.D. on August 31, 2022

When disaster strikes, recovery may depend on an under-recognized form of social capital—cross-class friendships.

When disaster strikes, recovery may depend on an under-recognized form of social capital—cross-class friendships.

Identity

Helping Teens Feel Good About Their Racial Identity

Monnica T Williams Ph.D. on July 31, 2022

How can parents support the development of a healthy, positive racial and ethnic identity in teens? Learn practical techniques for building self-esteem.

How can parents support the development of a healthy, positive racial and ethnic identity in teens? Learn practical techniques for building self-esteem.

Health

Get Out and Get Moving: Exercise for Mental Health

Monnica T Williams Ph.D. on June 27, 2022

Although most people think of psychotherapy or medications as the frontline approach for mental health concerns, exercise remains underappreciated.

Although most people think of psychotherapy or medications as the frontline approach for mental health concerns, exercise remains underappreciated.

Health

Cultural Competence in Canadian Mental Health Care

Monnica T Williams Ph.D. on March 31, 2022

Given the increasing diversity of Canada, cultural competence is required to provide mental health care effectively.

Given the increasing diversity of Canada, cultural competence is required to provide mental health care effectively.

Bias

Children of Color Experience Racism in German Schools

Monnica T Williams Ph.D. on February 28, 2022

In school, children would routinely touch, grab, and pull my child's thick curly hair without asking. The teacher didn't understand that this was racism.

In school, children would routinely touch, grab, and pull my child's thick curly hair without asking. The teacher didn't understand that this was racism.

Stress

Self-Care for the Chronic and Demoralizing Stress of Racism

Monnica T Williams Ph.D. on January 9, 2022

Self-care may require tackling our own sense of worthiness and revisiting social notions of who is deserving of care and why.

Self-care may require tackling our own sense of worthiness and revisiting social notions of who is deserving of care and why.

Wisdom

Healers Need Teachers, Too

Monnica T Williams Ph.D. on November 14, 2021

An Ecuadorian medical doctor and traditional healer shares his journey of biomedical science, psychedelic plant medicines, and transformation.

An Ecuadorian medical doctor and traditional healer shares his journey of biomedical science, psychedelic plant medicines, and transformation.

Health

On Becoming a True Healer

Monnica T Williams Ph.D. on November 13, 2021

The remarkable story of Dr. Jonathan Flores who bridges two worlds across eras, continents, and non-ordinary states of consciousness.

The remarkable story of Dr. Jonathan Flores who bridges two worlds across eras, continents, and non-ordinary states of consciousness.

Microaggression

Microaggressions: Misconceptions, Politics, and New Science

Monnica T Williams Ph.D. on August 31, 2021

Confusion abounds over Critical Race Theory and the science of subtle racism.

Confusion abounds over Critical Race Theory and the science of subtle racism.

Friends

Real Friends are Allies Too

Monnica T Williams Ph.D. on August 1, 2021

“Perhaps if people had seen what I saw, they would have compassion too...” It’s easy to support trans people from the sidelines, but what does it take to really make a difference?

“Perhaps if people had seen what I saw, they would have compassion too...” It’s easy to support trans people from the sidelines, but what does it take to really make a difference?

Health

People of Color and Mental Health Care: The Double Bind

Monnica T Williams Ph.D. on June 30, 2021

Not only do people of color have limited access to mental health care, they are also subject to discrimination and social disadvantage that can be invisible to White people.

Not only do people of color have limited access to mental health care, they are also subject to discrimination and social disadvantage that can be invisible to White people.