Culturally Speaking

Spirituality

Introducing Ayahuasca

Monnica T Williams Ph.D. on December 31, 2019

An Amazonian brew called ayahuasca is a controversial and sacred indigenous psychedelic plant medicine, believed to confer spiritual and psychological benefits.

An Amazonian brew called ayahuasca is a controversial and sacred indigenous psychedelic plant medicine, believed to confer spiritual and psychological benefits.

Microaggression

Responding to Microaggressions: Safety First

Monnica T Williams Ph.D. on September 1, 2019

What should people of color do when others seem afraid? I polled a few professional Black men about racism in an elevator and the results were surprising.

What should people of color do when others seem afraid? I polled a few professional Black men about racism in an elevator and the results were surprising.

Embarrassment

Coming to Terms with Coming Out

Monnica T Williams Ph.D. on June 2, 2019

Coming out can be difficult, especially when one is weighted down by internalized doubt and shame. Self-compassion can be key to strong LGBTQ mental health.

Coming out can be difficult, especially when one is weighted down by internalized doubt and shame. Self-compassion can be key to strong LGBTQ mental health.

Bias

Is Your Therapist Qualified to Treat People of Color?

Monnica T Williams Ph.D. on May 31, 2019

As our country becomes increasingly diverse, clinicians must be ready to meet the needs of clients from varied ethnic, racial, and cultural backgrounds.

As our country becomes increasingly diverse, clinicians must be ready to meet the needs of clients from varied ethnic, racial, and cultural backgrounds.

Trauma

Uncovering the Trauma of Racism: New Tools for Clinicians

Monnica T Williams Ph.D. on January 19, 2019

Many therapists are afraid to ask the hard questions needed to understand the experience and impact of racial discrimination. Learn a new approach for critical dialogues.

Many therapists are afraid to ask the hard questions needed to understand the experience and impact of racial discrimination. Learn a new approach for critical dialogues.

Race and Ethnicity

Demanding Diversity: Tolerance Is Not Enough

Monnica T Williams Ph.D. on December 31, 2018

As our society becomes more diverse, how can therapists navigate our changing demographics? How do we align our values with anti-racist and non-discriminatory behaviors?

As our society becomes more diverse, how can therapists navigate our changing demographics? How do we align our values with anti-racist and non-discriminatory behaviors?

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Psychedelic Psychotherapy Is Coming: Who Will Be Included?

Monnica T Williams Ph.D. on August 24, 2018

The psychedelic train is pulling out of the station, and passengers are giddy with excitement—but people of color are left standing on the platform.

The psychedelic train is pulling out of the station, and passengers are giddy with excitement—but people of color are left standing on the platform.

Health

Designer Genitals or Mutilation?

Monnica T Williams Ph.D. on July 1, 2018

We react differently to the same practice in a different cultural context. Are designer vaginas are simply a form of female genital mutilation?

We react differently to the same practice in a different cultural context. Are designer vaginas are simply a form of female genital mutilation?

Identity

Ethnic and Racial Identity and the Therapeutic Alliance

Monnica T Williams Ph.D. on March 20, 2018

Ethnic identity is all about how people develop and experience a sense of belonging to their culture. Learn how this can impact a therapist's connection to clients.

Ethnic identity is all about how people develop and experience a sense of belonging to their culture. Learn how this can impact a therapist's connection to clients.

Microaggression

Are Racial Microaggressions on College Campuses Harmful?

Monnica T Williams Ph.D. on November 12, 2017

A new study of college students finds that psychological harm due to racial microaggressions are real and not explained by the personality trait called neuroticism.

A new study of college students finds that psychological harm due to racial microaggressions are real and not explained by the personality trait called neuroticism.

Bias

Racism Hides Behind The Small Things People Say And Do

Monnica T Williams Ph.D. on September 4, 2017

New research finds that White college students who engage in microaggressions are more likely to have racist attitudes.

New research finds that White college students who engage in microaggressions are more likely to have racist attitudes.

Bias

The Civil War Continues in Charlottesville

Monnica T Williams Ph.D. on August 17, 2017

The science of social connection explains the allure of racist supremacist movements, and what we can do to reverse bias and discrimination.

The science of social connection explains the allure of racist supremacist movements, and what we can do to reverse bias and discrimination.

Trauma

Unfriendly Skies: United Airlines and Police Violence

Monnica T Williams Ph.D. on April 29, 2017

Abuse of an Asian American doctor on a United flight reminds us that education and status do not protect people of color from police brutality.

Abuse of an Asian American doctor on a United flight reminds us that education and status do not protect people of color from police brutality.

OCD

Religious & Traditional Healers for OCD: Helpful or Hurtful?

Monnica T Williams Ph.D. on January 29, 2017

When there is a conflict between approaches, your client will not choose you, even with science on your side.

When there is a conflict between approaches, your client will not choose you, even with science on your side.

Politics

Surveillance and Manipulation in the Internet Age

Monnica T Williams Ph.D. on December 31, 2016

Everything we do on the Internet leaves digital traces. Find out how one company used this information to influence US politics, even helping Trump win the presidential election.

Everything we do on the Internet leaves digital traces. Find out how one company used this information to influence US politics, even helping Trump win the presidential election.

Relationships

Connecting: Forging Real Relationships with People of Color

Monnica T Williams Ph.D. on August 20, 2016

Are you a white person who wants to combat racism? Use the science of social connection to make your own world a less white place. Deliberately connect with people of color.

Are you a white person who wants to combat racism? Use the science of social connection to make your own world a less white place. Deliberately connect with people of color.

Bias

Anti-Racist Action and Becoming Part of the Solution

Monnica T Williams Ph.D. on August 18, 2016

For many well-intentioned white people, it is easy to slip into despair and passivity when it comes to taking action on social issues related to racism.

For many well-intentioned white people, it is easy to slip into despair and passivity when it comes to taking action on social issues related to racism.

Bias

Exploring Our Own Stereotypes and Biases

Monnica T Williams Ph.D. on August 16, 2016

It is natural to want to deny our own biases, but trying to suppress negative thoughts doesn’t work. The good news is that you can have thoughts without being guided by them.

It is natural to want to deny our own biases, but trying to suppress negative thoughts doesn’t work. The good news is that you can have thoughts without being guided by them.

Bias

Learning the New Language of Racism

Monnica T Williams Ph.D. on August 15, 2016

Language influences how we feel and how we react to things. Language is the foundation of change. Rather than avoid and deny, we need to start learning.

Language influences how we feel and how we react to things. Language is the foundation of change. Rather than avoid and deny, we need to start learning.

Bias

Accepting Difficult Emotions Surrounding Race

Monnica T Williams Ph.D. on August 13, 2016

We all need to get better at accepting, rather than avoiding, difficult feelings. Anti-racism action requires embracing the discomfort.

We all need to get better at accepting, rather than avoiding, difficult feelings. Anti-racism action requires embracing the discomfort.