We each have a part to play in trying to make our world a more just and equitable place to be. Not all of us can be social justice warriors. We may not have the skill or the energy to be out in the streets fighting. There are of course other things we can do to help us survive in the current climate.
One of the things I have noticed over my years in working in psychotherapy is that I treat social problems on an individual level. If you come in depressed chances are that in addition to what is going on with you personally there are things happening on a more global scale that are contributing to your depression. For instance, the capitalist focus on productivity can make us feel like we are lazy or broken if there is a day where we are too depressed to get out of bed. One of my favorite mantras I ever came up with in working with a client was “Fight Capitalism! Take Naps!”.
The same is true with body image issues. It is virtually impossible for anyone to feel consistently good about their body when we are constantly bombarded with advertising and media designed to manipulate us into fixing whatever is “wrong” with our bodies. Empowering people to fight cultural messaging is the key to fighting body related dysphoria on a number of levels. This of course becomes much more complex when gender issues are involved.
Most of the issues I treat have both an individual component and a cultural component. The goal of this practice is to help strengthen individuals and relationships. I want to help everyone have the strength and energy they need to accomplish whatever is right for them. I have been privileged to nourish a number of social justice warriors, mages and healers along the way and I continue to welcome them into my practice.