Understanding the intersection of oppression and trauma
Traumatic or dysregulating experiences can be challenging for anyone, but for individuals who also experience oppression due to their race, gender, sexuality, or other factors, trauma can be more complex and pervasive. In somatic experiencing trauma therapy, addressing these intersections of trauma and oppression is essential to provide the most effective, compassionate, and inclusive care possible. Here are some ways that experiences of oppression can contribute to or exacerbate trauma and how social justice-oriented therapy can help to address these complex intersections.
Oppression refers to the systemic and institutionalized ways one group of people takes power from another for their own benefit. This is often based on perceived identities or characteristics like race, gender, sexuality, ability, or socioeconomic status. Oppression can manifest in many ways, including discrimination, violence, harassment, and exclusion. These experiences can be traumatizing on their own, and when they are repeated and ongoing, they can lead to complex trauma and have lasting effects on an individual's mental and physical health, called continuous traumatic stress. Continuous traumatic stress differs from post-traumatic stress (PTSD) because the threat is not limited to the past but is inescapably present in the past, present, and future.
For example, someone who experiences racism may develop symptoms like hypervigilance, avoidance, and intrusive thoughts or memories. Similarly, someone who encounters sexism or homophobia may feel anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem due to the constant invalidation and marginalization they face. These experiences can also impact an individual's relationships, ability to trust others, and overall sense of safety in the world.
Approaching therapy with a social justice orientation allows the therapist to highlight the context in which a person is experiencing symptoms. This means recognizing how systems of oppression impact individuals and communities and working to dismantle these systems through advocacy, education, and empowerment. It also means centering the experiences and needs of individuals who experience oppression and working to create a liberated and inclusive space for healing and growth.
One way to do this is through somatic experiencing, a therapeutic approach focusing on the body's response to trauma and stress. By tuning into the physical sensations and emotions associated with traumatic experiences, somatic experiencing can help individuals process and release the stored energy often trapped in the body and nervous system. This can lead to a greater sense of safety, control, and resilience in the face of trauma.
To truly create a safe and inclusive space, trauma therapists must also be attuned to the cultural and societal factors that contribute to trauma and work to address these factors in therapy. This may involve exploring how privilege and power dynamics impact treatment and working to create a more equitable and just relationship between therapist and client. For example, a trauma therapist working with a client who experiences racism may need to be mindful of their own privilege as a white therapist and work to create a space that is secure and affirming for the client. This may involve acknowledging the client's experiences of oppression, validating their emotions and experiences, and working to dismantle the systems of oppression that contribute to their trauma. It can be a complex and ongoing process, and it is essential for creating a therapeutic relationship that is genuinely supportive and empowering.
A social justice-oriented therapist is working to address the systemic and institutional factors that contribute to trauma. They will often e for policy changes that promote equity and justice, support community-based organizations that provide services and resources to oppressed communities, and educate others about how oppression impacts mental health and wellbeing. By addressing these broader factors, trauma therapists can help society create a more just, equitable, and liberated world.
Addressing the intersections of trauma and oppression is essential for providing effective and inclusive care. By recognizing how systems of oppression impact individuals and communities and working to dismantle these systems through advocacy, education, and empowerment, trauma therapists can create a secure and affirming space for healing and growth. Whether working with individuals who experience racism, sexism, homophobia, ableism, or other forms of oppression, trauma therapists can help people heal from the complex intersections of trauma and oppression. Through a social justice-oriented approach, trauma therapists can help to promote healing, resilience, and empowerment and contribute to a more just and equitable world for all.
Interested in working with a social-justice-oriented therapist? Schedule a free 15-minute consultation with Tides Center for Wellness.
