99: I Got 99 Problems but...Yeah, Let's Talk About That
After being stigmatized for decades, mental health is frequently the subject of national headlines. Unfortunately, while the conversation about support is gaining momentum, access to providers has not kept pace. The practice of modern day therapy is still viewed as a luxury commodity where many people, communities of color especially, are not adequately represented or served.
In the last episode of 2020—a year where mental wellness has been threatened for all—I am honored to be joined by Amenah Arman, founder of Sane In The Membrane, an Atlanta-based nontraditional therapy practice for biculturals and creatives.
In this episode we talk about:
- Why it’s so important to feel understood by your therapist without having to educate them,
- Getting past the fear of being judged for your imperfections,
- The fine line between counseling and coaching,
- Resources to help you avoid burnout and move past stuckness, and
- How to find a therapist that works for you.
MEET AMENAH ARMAN
Amenah Arman is a holistic therapist, community organizer, advocate and founder of Sane in the Membrane; a private practice that addresses the mental health disparities of creatives and marginalized communities.
She identifies as a Muslim Palestinian American, and is passionate about providing culturally oriented modes of therapy to underserved communities in the U.S. She wholeheartedly believes that therapy is not solely a "white people thing" and she is committed to counteracting this belief within communities of color.
Her work frequently centers on the concept of identity: how we form our identities, how and where we equate value with our identity, and how we connect our worth with our work.
TOP TAKEAWAYS
- Therapy is not about fixing you. It’s about providing you awareness that you don’t see on your own.
- Coming from a community or family that doesn’t understand what you do or the vision can cause fear.
- Therapy is the place to practice whatever you’re trying to do in life.
- “Where are you from” and “How do I pronounce your name” are seemingly innocuous questions, but they force an individual to have to educate someone about them to avoid being boxed in.
AMENAH QUOTED
"Therapy is personal training for your emotions."
"Fear is the primary source of stuckness."
"Transparency is the number one thing I would encourage you to practice in therapy."
"Really I’m here to serve myself first and foremost by serving others—by identifying I did not have growing up what I needed. It’s insane to think we aren’t qualified to tell our own narrative."
"When we gather we’re therapizing, it just looks different."
"You have a bunch of options, so make sure the [therapist] you choose you actually enjoy speaking to and want to build a relationship with."
