What happens when therapy can no longer ignore the world we are living in?

In this season finale of Deconstructing Therapy, Alefyah sits down with Maria Fakouri, a Palestinian therapist whose work challenges the limits of Western psychotherapy and calls us into a more honest, relational, and liberatory practice.

Maria shares how the past two years disrupted the illusion that therapy exists outside of politics, systems, and collective trauma. As both a therapist and someone directly impacted by genocide, she found herself navigating an impossible tension—holding her own grief while witnessing a field that often refused to name the very realities shaping that pain.

Together, Alefyah and Maria explore what it means to practice therapy in a world on fire—and why neutrality is not only impossible, but harmful.

This conversation asks therapists to reckon with a deeper question:

Are we helping people heal… or helping them adjust to systems that harm them?

Throughout the episode, we explore:

• The disorienting split between therapist identity and lived reality in times of collective trauma
• How dominant therapy models reinforce individualism while ignoring systemic harm
• The concept of “spiritual bypassing” and how it shows up in clinical spaces
• Why clients are seeking therapists who can hold both personal and collective pain
• The shift from individual-focused intake to starting with the world and its impact
• The role of authenticity, vulnerability, and therapist self-disclosure in liberatory practice
• How therapy can either reinforce or challenge systems like capitalism, racism, and colonialism
• The emotional labor of witnessing violence while continuing to show up as a therapist

Maria also speaks to the courage required to move away from the “white gaze” in therapy and toward a practice rooted in community, truth-telling, and collective care. Her work reminds us that sometimes the most powerful thing a therapist can do is not to fix—but to name, to witness, and to stand alongside.

Ultimately, this episode invites us to reimagine therapy not as a tool for adaptation, but as a space for awareness, resistance, and transformation.

Because healing is not neutral. And neither is the work we do.

Maria Fakouri, MA, RP is a Palestinian therapist offering anti-oppressive, trauma-informed psychotherapy in Ontario, Canada. Her work centers the lived experiences of Palestinians and others navigating trauma under systems of oppression.

Maria writes and speaks through a liberation-focused, anti-colonial, and neuro-queer lens, inviting both therapists and communities to move beyond individualistic models of care toward approaches that are relational, culturally grounded, and rooted in justice.

Instagram: @mar._underscoreunfiltered Practice: Decliance (Ontario, Quebec, and select Canadian provinces) Booking: mariafakhouripsychotherapy.jnapp.com Email: ⁠mariafakhouripsychotherapy@gmail.com⁠

Website: DeconstructingTherapy.com Instagram, Facebook, TikTok: @DeconstructingTherapy

BuyMeACoffee.com/DeconstructingTherapy

Special thanks to George Alvarez for his steady presence and support behind this work, and to Rayana Sims Consulting and Chanson Brummett for their contributions in helping bring this episode into the world.

#EmotionallyFocusedTherapy #EmotionallyFocusedCouplesTherapy #EmotionallyFocusedTherapist #DeconstructingTherapy #RelationalHealing #CulturallyResponsiveTherapy #DecolonizeTherapy #LiberationPsychology #PalestinianVoices #QueerTherapist

About the GuestConnect with MariaConnect with Deconstructing TherapySupport the PodcastSpecial ThanksHashtags

Chapters

• (00:00:00) - In the Elevator With Therapy
• (00:00:22) - De deconstructing therapy
• (00:05:00) - Ashkenazi therapist on the white gaze
• (00:10:55) - "It's Not Worth It"
• (00:11:40) - How a Palestinian therapist shifted her perspective
• (00:15:23) - You're More Vulnerable On The Internet
• (00:18:58) - Since the election, has your practice changed?
• (00:23:03) - How I Learned To Love My Therapist
• (00:28:19) - "What is the Meaning of Your Job?"
• (00:31:49) - How to Be More Vulnerable in Therapy

The Sacred Mess of Becoming: Finding Beauty in Impermanence with Brandon Liu, LMFT

What happens when therapists stop trying to be the expert and instead allow their humanity into the room?

In this episode of Deconstructing Therapy, Alefyah sits down with Brandon Liu, a licensed marriage and family therapist and certified Emotionally Focused Therapist whose work centers cultural identity, relational attunement, and healing through authentic connection.

Brandon shares how his journey toward becoming a therapist began with a childhood desire to heal others, shaped by growing up in a medical family and navigating a complex Asian American identity. But it was a transformative undergraduate course on family psychology that helped him see the powerful impact of intergenerational patterns, masculinity, emotional expression, and cultural expectations.

Together, Alefyah and Brandon explore how our cultural histories shape the ways we relate to vulnerability, work, identity, and emotional intimacy — and how therapists must grapple with their own stories in order to show up authentically for others.

This conversation also dives deeply into what makes Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) unique: the understanding that healing is not a one-way process. When therapists allow themselves to be emotionally present, therapy becomes a bi-directional relational experience, where both client and therapist grow.

Brandon also reflects on his own recent relationship loss and how that experience has deepened his empathy for clients navigating grief, ambiguity, and the loss of imagined futures.

Throughout the conversation, we explore:

• How intergenerational family patterns shape our emotional worlds

• The subtle ways masculinity and cultural expectations influence vulnerability

• Why many therapists enter the field seeking answers for their own inner chaos

• The difference between therapeutic self-disclosure and emotional overexposure

• The importance of authenticity and humanity in the therapy room

• Cultural expectations of work, productivity, and success in Asian immigrant families

• How therapists must care for their own nervous systems while caring for others

• The beauty of messy healing and relational authenticity

Brandon introduces the Japanese philosophy Mono no Aware — the bittersweet awareness of life’s impermanence — and how recognizing the temporary nature of relationships, moments, and experiences can deepen our presence, gratitude, and connection.

Ultimately, this episode invites therapists and listeners alike to embrace the messy, vulnerable, and deeply relational nature of healing.

Because therapy isn’t about perfect expertise. It’s about two humans meeting in the sacred space of connection.

Brandon Liu, LMFT is a licensed marriage and family therapist and certified Emotionally Focused Therapist. He works with individuals and couples, with a particular focus on Asian men, Asian couples, and healthcare professionals navigating relational and emotional challenges.

Brandon is a Supervisor in Training in Emotionally Focused Therapy, holds a certificate in Medical Family Therapy, and serves on the board of the Chicago Emotionally Focused Therapy Community. He is also connected with the Community of Asian Therapists in Chicagoland (CAATCH).

He is the founder of Hazakura Counseling, a practice dedicated to fostering relational health and e...

Chapters

• (00:00:00) - Brandon Leo
• (00:03:10) - How the culture of immigrants affects you
• (00:05:24) - What Were the Messages You Got From Dad About Masculinity
• (00:13:22) - How a Therapy Client's Grief Affects Me
• (00:17:32) - The Hardest Part of Therapist Work
• (00:19:37) - What Do You Do When Life's Getting Intense?
• (00:20:41) - Asian Americans talk about self-care
• (00:26:33) - Therapist on the Need for Authenticity
• (00:32:15) - Deconstructing Therapy: Sakura Season

Safety Is Not a Feeling: Power, Privilege, and Listening Deeply

Guest: Jay Seiff-Haron, Psy.D

In this expansive and honest conversation, Alefyah sits down with therapist, trainer, and anti-oppression educator Jay Seiff-Haron to explore what happens when we let our clients challenge our worldview—especially around safety, power, and privilege. Jay reflects on growing up Jewish and queer, navigating whiteness and passing, and later becoming part of a Jewish–Muslim family, holding both marginalization and access within the same body.

Together, Alefyah and Jay examine how Western therapy—shaped by colonial and individualistic assumptions—often treats safety as an internal feeling rather than a reality shaped by power, history, and structural violence. They explore how therapists can unintentionally dismiss real danger by framing it as anxiety, distortion, or resistance, and why deep listening requires a willingness to be changed by what clients are telling us about the world they live in.

This episode is a call to complexity: resisting binaries of oppressed vs. privileged, refusing to rank suffering, and practicing a form of listening rooted in humility, justice, and shared humanity.

Highlights & Takeaways

• Safety is not always a feeling—it is often shaped by material reality and real threat

• Holding privilege and marginalization as parts, not opposites

• The danger of turning oppression into a competition

• Jewish identity, whiteness, and intergenerational survival strategies

• Passing, visibility, and choosing when to lead with different parts of self

• Neurodivergence and justice sensitivity as moral attunement

• How colonial psychology trains therapists to overlook suffering

• Why EFT already contains the tools for liberation—if we let context back in

• Letting clients reshape our understanding of the world through deep listening

Mentioned

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)

Liberation-oriented and anti-oppression clinical practice

Neurodivergence and justice sensitivity

White Supremacy Culture (Tema Okun)

Decolonizing Western psychology

Cross-cultural and interfaith relationships

Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF)

Connect with Jay Seiff-Haron

Training & Consultation: eft-lifeline.com

Liberation-oriented EFT trainings, facilitated dialogue, and consultation for therapists and allied professionals.

✨ Connect with Deconstructing Therapy (Alefyah Taqui)
Therapy / Consultation • All Podcast Episodes
Instagram: @taquitherapy • @deconstructingtherapy
Facebook • TikTok • YouTube

Special Thanks: George Alvarez & Rayana Consulting

Chapters

• (00:00:00) - When Do You Listen to Your Clients?
• (00:00:37) - Deconstructing Therapy
• (00:01:48) - In the Elevator With a Jew
• (00:06:39) - "No Jew Is Ever Privileged or Discovered"
• (00:11:45) - How Having ADHD and Autism Has Helped Me Understand the World
• (00:14:32) - How EFT Changed My Therapy Work
• (00:20:48) - White Privileged Therapists on Compassion
• (00:27:36) - Privileged People on Decolonizing Their Identity
• (00:31:26) - Deconstructing Therapy: Palestinian Children's Relief

Bridging Worlds: A Cultural Broker’s Lessons on Migration, Attachment, and Relentless Curiosity
Guest: Liliana Baylon (@lilianabaylon)

In this deeply reflective conversation, Alefyah sits down with therapist, trainer, and cultural bridge Liliana Baylon to explore what it means to live—and heal—between worlds. The eldest daughter in a migrant family, Liliana grew up translating language, systems, and emotion for her loved ones long before she had the words cultural broker. She shares how those early experiences shaped her path from business and mediation work into therapy, play therapy, and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)—and how each step invited her to zoom out, see the larger system, and keep asking questions.

Together, Alefyah and Liliana trace the tender intersections of migration, family roles, and attachment through a cultural lens. They talk about the weight of being “the bridge,” the loneliness of belonging nowhere, and the quiet wisdom found in rituals and traditions that Western therapy often overlooks. Liliana describes how EFT first made her feel like her family “did attachment wrong,” and how curiosity, therapy, and compassion helped her rediscover the love that had always been there—just spoken in a different language.

This episode is a meditation on curiosity as resistance: a way of humanizing our parents, reclaiming ancestral healing, and refusing to let any one lens—Western or traditional—define what care looks like.

Highlights & Takeaways

• The cultural broker: eldest child, translator, advocate, and bridge between two worlds

• From MBA to mediation to therapy—when purpose shifts from planning to human connection

• “Zooming in and out”: child, couple, family, community—the whole system needs healing

• When EFT training first felt like “we did attachment wrong,” and what came after

• Pathologizing vs. contextualizing: seeing trauma and resilience in migration stories

• Humor, repair, and humility when working cross-culturally

• Rediscovering traditional healing and balancing it with clinical science

• “Nothing’s wrong with you”: exploring, integrating, and letting go with choice and compassion

• Curiosity as a daily practice—for clients, systems, and the self

Mentioned

• Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)

• EMDR and Play Therapy

• Cultural brokerage and migration-informed therapy

• Traditional healing practices & University of New Mexico’s program on curanderismo

• Parallel processes between therapist and client

• The power of rituals, gardens, and nonverbal connection

Connect with Liliana Baylon

Training & Consultation: lilianabaylon.com
Therapy Services: Healing Relationships Counseling Services

✨ Connect with Deconstructing Therapy (Alefyah Taqui)

Therapy / Consultation • All Podcast Episodes
Instagram: @taquitherapy • @deconstructingtherapy
Facebook • TikTok • YouTube

Special Thanks: George Alvarez & Rayana Consulting

Chapters

• (00:00:00) - How to Explore Your Anxiety
• (00:00:35) - Deconstructing Therapy
• (00:01:55) - Teaching as a healer: What Got You into This Work?
• (00:10:23) - Working with migrants and first-generation families
• (00:16:48) - What EFT Community Members Need to Know
• (00:17:39) - "In the World of Curiosity"
• (00:18:46) - How EFT helped me learn how to Love my Parents
• (00:25:49) - How to assess a patient's care
• (00:26:37) - How to Let Go of Anxiety and Cognitive Challenges
• (00:31:02) - How to help a migrant parent with his trauma
• (00:37:14) - Wonders of Traditional Healing and the EFT

Wins We’re Not Taught: People Power, Public Power, and Practical Hope
Guest: Jasmine Brown (@jasminebrownformayor)

In this grounded and inspiring conversation, Alefyah sits down with organizer and activist Jasmine Brown to trace her journey from early disillusionment to practical hope. Jasmine shares how watching her parents work without “getting ahead,” moving through low-wage jobs, and witnessing police harm lit a lifelong fire for justice—and how learning itself transformed her: not just learning to read, but learning how to learn, to stay curious, and to make knowledge actionable.

From her first protest at Pensacola’s Graffiti Bridge to speaking at city council against Florida Power & Light’s monopoly contract, Jasmine reflects on what organizing taught her about connection, courage, and how much common ground truly exists across political lines. Whether she’s door-knocking in the South or trading soil and plant starts with neighbors across the political spectrum, Jasmine reminds us: most people want the same things—dignity, housing, community, and care.

A turning point comes from a delegation with the International People’s Assembly to Cuba, where culture isn’t an add-on—it’s woven into political life. Jasmine describes dancing as grounding, popular education as a practice of dignity, and CENESEX’s model of supporting harmed people while educating families, so we don’t throw people away. Along the way, she names the wins we’re rarely taught—slave rebellions, local mutual-aid victories—and why remembering them sustains the long game. As she says, “You don’t have to take down the war machine—just pick up a broom.”

Since this recording, Jasmine has launched a campaign for Mayor of Pensacola, running on the slogan “Pensacola for the people, not the developers.” Her movement continues the message of this episode: real power begins face-to-face, with everyday people talking—and acting—together.

Highlights & Takeaways

• The awakening: refusing to normalize exploitation and extraction

• From anger to action: channeling frustration into local campaigns (public power, utilities, housing)

• Learning how to learn: curiosity → agency → actionable change

• Cuba & culture: music/dance as organizing infrastructure, not extras

• CENESEX model: protect the harmed person and keep working with the family/community

• Hidden histories, real wins: why we’re not taught them—and why they matter

• Finding common ground across difference—knocking on doors, not walls

• “Pick up a broom”: regulate overwhelm through small, tangible steps

Mentioned

• Pedagogy of the Oppressed — Paulo Freire

• Septima Poinsette Clark — “the power of people when they are given the truth”

• James Baldwin — “Those who say it can’t be done…” (guiding inspiration)

• Assata: An Autobiography — Assata Shakur

• Revolutionary Suicide — Huey P. Newton

• Zora Neale Hurston — anthropology & everyday life

• International People’s Assembly (delegation to Cuba)

• CENESEX (Cuba) — National Center for Sex Education

Connect with Jasmine Brown

Instagram: @jasminebrownformayor
Campaign: Pensacola for the Pe...

Chapters

• (00:00:03) - Deconstruction: Jasmine Brown
• (00:01:10) - Jasmine on How She Came to Love Environmentalism
• (00:05:58) - Did Your Parents Push You Into Psychology?
• (00:09:52) - Independents Turn from Blue to Green
• (00:15:11) - Participants on the 2020 election
• (00:20:21) - USWS on the Cuba Trip
• (00:26:42) - How to reach out to the people of the US
• (00:33:35) - Picking Up A Broom: DeShawn's Therapy

Rooted in Presence: Authenticity and the Self of the Therapist Guest: Dr. James “Doc Hawk” Hawkins

In this powerful conversation, Alefyah and Dr. James “Doc Hawk” Hawkins trace his path from Air Force medic to therapist and trainer—and how culture, race, and identity shaped that journey. James shares candidly about early messages from family (“you’ll have to work harder just to be in the conversation”), navigating predominantly white training spaces, and the nervous-system load of being a Black male therapist in the South. He offers grounded, practical wisdom on bringing one’s full self into the therapy room—without betraying authenticity to be “more palatable.”

They explore how mentors encouraged James to “trust your instincts,” how attachment science can serve equity and healing, and why Self of the Therapist work matters for longevity—especially for therapists who’ve been socialized to code-switch or shrink. James also demonstrates subtle but meaningful clinical choices (like honoring clients by name while using proxy voice) and offers an empowering lens to disentangle cultural trauma from culture itself: honor the protective strategy, then ask what it costs—and whether it’s still needed.

This episode is an invitation to therapists and communities alike: take back the fullness of your humanity, lead with congruence, and let your body become the thermostat—able to read the room and gently set the temperature for connection, truth-telling, and change.

Highlights & takeaways

• From medic to therapist: following the pull to sit with people in hard moments

• Authenticity over performance: refusing to betray self for palatability

• The lobby moment: race, visibility, and nervous-system realities for Black therapists

• Mentors who empower instincts (and why that changes your work)

• Self of the Therapist: being a thermostat, not a thermometer

• Cultural trauma vs. culture: honor the function, examine the cost, choose what to keep

• Congruence as care: why “you being you” is the mos...

Chapters

• (00:00:00) - December 7, 2016: Deconstructing Therapy
• (00:01:16) - Dr. James Hawkins
• (00:04:29) - Black Psychotherapists on The Cultural Switch
• (00:10:24) - Alief on Working With Black People
• (00:14:54) - James Baldwin on Contemplating deconstruction
• (00:19:36) - An Asian Therapist's Powerful Message For Her Clients
• (00:22:09) - How to Be a Therapist
• (00:24:24) - What Is The Self of The Therapist?
• (00:28:22) - The cultural trauma of EFT
• (00:30:31) - How to Lead a Live Couple
• (00:35:22) - Leafy on Deconstructing Therapy

Guest: Dr. Pauline Yeghnazar Peck, Ph.D.

In this rich and moving conversation, Alefyah and Dr. Pauline Yeghnazar Peck explore the ways cultural identity, grief, and healing weave through our personal and professional lives. Together, they look at how therapy can either reinforce harmful narratives—or open the door to reclaiming one’s cultural roots as a source of strength and belonging.

Dr. Pauline shares her lived experiences of navigating multiple cultural identities and the ways therapy has both supported and challenged that journey. She speaks candidly about the impact of loss, the internalized messages that can come from colonial and Western frameworks, and how she has learned to trust her own inner voice.

The conversation emphasizes the dangers of pathologizing cultural backgrounds in therapy, and instead, highlights the power of honoring ancestral gifts and traditions. Pauline and Alefyah also reflect on the importance of reconnecting with nature as a practice of grounding and remembering, especially in a world that often disconnects us from our bodies and our roots.

This episode is an invitation to therapists and clients alike: healing is not just about looking inward, but also about reaching back—toward our ancestors, our communities, and the cultural practices that help us remember who we are.

Connect with Dr. Pauline Yeghnazar Peck

• Bridging Gaps, Breaking Cycles (coaching, speaking, consulting): pauline-peck.mykajabi.com/resources

• Noor Therapy and Wellness (group practice): www.noortherapyandwellness.com

• Instagram: @paulinethepsychologist

• TikTok: @paulinethepsychologist

• LinkedIn: Pauline Yeghnazar Peck

• Facebook: Pauline Yeghnazar Peck

• YouTube: Pauline Yeghnazar Peck or @paulinethepsychologist

✨ Connect with Deconstructing Therapy (Alefyah Taqui)

• Therapy/Consultation

• All Podcast Episodes

• Instagram: @taquitherapy & @deconstructingtherapy

• Facebook: @deconstructingtherapy

• TikTok: @deconstructingtherapy

• YouTube: @DeconstructingTherapy

Special Thanks: George Alvarez

Chapters

• (00:00:00) - Deconstructing Therapy: The Need to Heal the Cultures
• (00:01:14) - Dr. Pauline Yugnizarpeck on Breaking Cy
• (00:02:24) - How To Heal Your Family's Mental Health
• (00:09:46) - As a healer, I learned to listen to my intuition
• (00:13:08) - Pauline on Her Cultural Disconnection
• (00:18:57) - On the Flow of Life
• (00:23:03) - The Decolonization of Therapy
• (00:29:24) - Free Download: The Immigrant Experience
• (00:33:36) - How to Connect with Your Body After Trauma
• (00:39:44) - Deconstructing Therapy

In this conversation, Alefyah Taqui shares her personal journey, exploring her childhood, cultural influences, health challenges, and the transformative experiences that shaped her as a therapist. The discussion delves into her struggles with a severe eye infection, the trauma of navigating the medical system, and the empowering moment of giving birth on her own terms. Through her story, Alefyah reflects on the lessons learned about trust, empowerment, and the importance of listening to one's own body and experiences. In this conversation, Alefyah Taqui discusses her experiences as a Pakistani American woman navigating the medical field in Alabama, the flaws of the Western medical system, and the importance of holistic care in therapy. She reflects on her cultural identity, the impact of 9/11 on her life, and the significance of acknowledging the ongoing crisis in Palestine. The dialogue emphasizes the need for authentic relationships in therapy and the complexities of privilege and safety in today's society.

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Find Nalini: ⁠⁠Website⁠⁠

Nalini’s Featured Organizations

⁠⁠EFT-LIFELINE⁠

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Find Alefyah:

Therapy/Consultation: ⁠⁠www.taquitherapy.com⁠⁠

Podcast Episodes: ⁠⁠www.deconstructingtherapy.com⁠⁠

IG: ⁠⁠@taquitherapy⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠@deconstructingtherapy⁠⁠

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Special Thanks: George Alvarez <...

In this heartfelt and layered re-release, Alefyah Taqui sits down with Natasha Sandy to explore the complex emotional terrain of the therapeutic relationship. Together, they examine what it means to be authentic, vulnerable, and human—both as therapists and as people doing their own inner work.

This conversation weaves through themes of rupture and repair, decolonization, identity, and the impact of social media on therapist visibility and boundaries. Natasha and Alefyah speak candidly about the discomfort of being seen, the importance of emotional risk, and the messy, nonlinear nature of growth and healing.

They also reflect on:

• The role of community in the therapeutic process

• The challenge of navigating personal and cultural identities

• The power of experiential learning over intellectual insight

• The necessity of making space for disagreement and tension in healing spaces

If you’ve ever felt unsure about how to "do it right" in the therapy room—or in life—this episode is a powerful reminder that being human is the work.

Find Natasha Sandy
Website: www.natashasandy.com
Instagram: @rehumanizingourselves

Find Alefyah Taqui
Therapy/Consultation: www.taquitherapy.com
Podcast Episodes: www.deconstructingtherapy.com
Instagram: @taquitherapy | @deconstructingtherapy

Special Thanks
George Alvarez

Chapters

• (00:00:00) - The Therapeutic Relationship: A Journey of Authenticity
• (00:03:09) - Social Media and Vulnerability in Therapy
• (00:05:56) - Navigating Personal and Cultural Identity
• (00:08:51) - Awakening to Systemic Issues
• (00:12:11) - The Challenge of Rupture and Repair
• (00:15:11) - Experiential Learning in Therapy
• (00:17:48) - The Liberation Process: Embracing Change
• (00:23:51) - 23:51The Power of Slowness in Therapy
• (00:28:01) - Rupture and Repair: Building Trust with Clients
• (00:32:31) - Navigating Conflict and Disagreement
• (00:38:58) - Boundaries and Cultural Nuances in Therapy
• (00:40:57) - Embracing Imperfection in Therapeutic Relationships

In this conversation, Dr. Paul T. Guillory discusses the intersection of culturally informed care and emotionally focused therapy (EFT). He shares his journey from sports psychology to therapy, emphasizing the importance of understanding cultural influences on emotional expression and attachment. Dr. Guillory highlights the unique stressors faced by individuals from diverse backgrounds and the need for therapists to be aware of these factors in their practice. He advocates for a more inclusive approach to therapy that recognizes the complexities of cultural identity and the impact of systemic issues such as racism and trauma.Takeaways

• Cultural influences shape emotional expression and attachment.
• Emotionally focused therapy (EFT) integrates attachment theory with cultural context.
• Therapists must be aware of the unique stressors faced by clients from diverse backgrounds.
• Cultural identity is a lifelong development process.
• Curiosity about culture enhances therapeutic relationships.
• Racism and trauma significantly impact relationships and attachment.
• Therapists should create safe environments for clients to discuss cultural influences.
• Understanding cultural nuances is essential for effective therapy.
• The dominant culture often overlooks the complexities of multicultural experiences.
• Therapists need to adapt their approaches to meet the needs of diverse clients.

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Find Dr. Guillory: ⁠⁠Website⁠ ⁠

Dr. Guillory's Publications:

⁠Emotionally Focused Therapy with African American Couples | Love Heals by Paul T. Guillory⁠

Follow Dr. Guillory :

IG: ⁠@eft_with_paulguilloryphd

Chapters

• (00:00:00) - Deconstructing Therapy: Transforming Therapy
• (00:01:22) - Paul T. Guillory on Emotionally Focused Therapy
• (00:08:39) - The Attachment Lens in Relationship Therapy
• (00:15:14) - EFT Training: Multiculturalism
• (00:19:42) - The Importance of Cultural Identity
• (00:24:03) - How To Realize Your Blackness
• (00:28:10) - Race-based stress
• (00:29:28) - Interview

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Find Tralana: ⁠Website⁠ 

Tralana Recommendations:

⁠Rest Is Resistance: A Manifesto⁠⁠

⁠Family Constellations - Hellinger Institute⁠

Follow Tralana :

IG: @Sage_hcw

Facebook: @Sage_hcw

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Find Alefyah:

Therapy/Consultation: ⁠www.taquitherapy.com⁠

Podcast Episodes: ⁠www.deconstructingtherapy.com⁠

IG: ⁠@taquitherapy⁠ & ⁠@deconstructingtherapy⁠

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Special Thanks: George Alvarez

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Chapters

• (00:00:00) - Deconstructing Therapy
• (00:00:50) - Dr. Trillena Eugene on The Power of Connection
• (00:05:32) - How the Bible Changed My Spiritual Thoughts
• (00:10:47) - On Honoring My Astrology in Therapy
• (00:17:10) - Adhd and Rest: Working Through It
• (00:21:09) - Let Your Body Lead You
• (00:23:56) - Janine on Separation From Traditional Astrology
• (00:28:05) - Ashkenazi therapists on the CEUs
• (00:33:48) - In the Elevator With Spiritual Healing
• (00:38:11) - Forgiveness in Spiritualism
• (00:42:59) - How to Sit With the Pain of Being Hurt
• (00:47:49) - Sage On Holding On To Things That Are No More

I recently returned to this conversation and found myself hearing it differently. Virginia speaks to something so many of us in the therapy world—and beyond—struggle with: the disconnect between what we know intellectually and what we feel and experience in our bodies.

In this episode, Virginia guides us into the reality that healing isn't just about insight or analysis; it's about embodiment. We talk about the importance of tending to the body’s cues, honoring its wisdom, and how becoming truly rooted requires patience, discomfort, and deep compassion.

What struck me most listening again is how easily we bypass the body, especially in systems that have conditioned us to intellectualize, explain, and perform healing. Virginia reminds us that this isn’t just personal—it’s political. For marginalized communities, trauma often lives in the body in ways that words alone can’t reach.

This episode offers no quick fixes—but instead, invites you into the slow, necessary work of coming home to yourself.

Whether you’re hearing it for the first time or revisiting it like I did, I hope it offers you space for reflection, gentleness, and curiosity.

In this conversation, Nalini Calamur shares her journey as a therapist, exploring the complexities of multicultural experiences, family dynamics, and personal struggles. She discusses the importance of self-reflection, community support, and the impact of her background on her therapeutic practice. Nalini emphasizes the significance of authenticity in therapy and the lessons learned from adversity, ultimately highlighting the power of resilience and hope in the healing process.

Takeaways

• The importance of holding multiple truths in therapy.
• Cultural perspectives significantly influence therapeutic approaches.
• Family dynamics play a crucial role in individual experiences.
• Personal struggles can lead to profound professional growth.
• Substance use can be a coping mechanism for deeper issues.
• Self-reflection is essential for effective therapy.
• Community support is vital for personal and professional development.
• Authenticity in therapy fosters trust and connection.
• Therapists must navigate their own biases and judgments.
• Resilience and hope are key components of healing.

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Find Nalini: ⁠⁠Website⁠⁠

Nalini’s Featured Organizations

⁠⁠EFT-LIFELINE⁠

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Find Alefyah:

Therapy/Consultation: ⁠⁠www.taquitherapy.com⁠⁠

Podcast Episodes: ⁠⁠www.deconstructi...

This conversation explores the concept of mutual aid as a transformative approach to healing and community support. Holly Rose Baker shares her journey from traditional therapy to finding healing through community engagement and activism. The discussion highlights the limitations of conventional therapy, the importance of building supportive infrastructures, and the need for joy and purpose in activism. Holly emphasizes that true community is about meeting each other's needs and fostering connections, rather than merely exchanging services. The conversation concludes with practical steps for individuals to engage in their communities and cultivate a mindset of love and appreciation for the world around them.

 Takeaways

• Mutual aid is a gift economy, not barter.
• Healing extends beyond the therapy room.
• Community engagement fosters personal growth.
• Traditional therapy often lacks connection.
• Finding purpose in community work is vital.
• Rest and joy are essential in activism.
• Building infrastructure of care is crucial.
• Community is about meeting each other's needs.
• Appreciating beauty is key to saving the world.
• Love and joy should guide our actions.

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HollyRose’s Featured Organizations and Information:

⁠Lower Alabama Native Plant Society⁠

⁠Social Fabric; Clothing in a Free Society⁠

⁠A Speculative Fiction Essay⁠

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Find Alefyah:

Therapy/Consultation:

 In this conversation, Alefyah Taqui and Joey Tapia reconnect after years apart, exploring Joey's journey into therapy, his experiences with the deaf community, and the challenges he faced in his professional and personal life. Joey shares how his initial struggles in psychology led him to find his passion in rehabilitation counseling, particularly with the deaf and hard of hearing community. He reflects on overcoming insecurities related to his education and confronting internalized racism and homophobia. The discussion highlights the importance of authentic connections and building a supportive community, especially as a gay man navigating his identity within a predominantly brown community. In this conversation, Joey Tapia shares his journey of coming out, the support he received from his family, and the importance of finding a community that embraces his identity. He discusses the challenges of navigating cultural identity and the significance of being intentional about the spaces he occupies, especially in professional settings. The dialogue highlights the need for authenticity in therapy and the impact of experiential learning in creating a sense of belonging. Joey emphasizes the importance of connection and gratitude towards those who have supported him in his journey.

• Joey's journey into therapy was not linear but rather a series of explorations.
• His passion for helping people was ignited by his interest in American Sign Language.
• The shift to working with the deaf community provided a sense of belonging.
• Joey faced challenges in his early education, feeling lost and unmotivated.
• He found empowerment in expressing his full identity through sign language.
• Transitioning to a rehabilitation counselor allowed him to support the deaf community more effectively.
• Joey's experience in a post-acute brain injury rehab facility was transformative.
• Going back to school was a pivotal moment for Joey, driven by curiosity and a desire to improve.
• He confronted internalized racism and homophobia during his educational journey.
• Building a new community in Colorado was intentional and fulfilling for Joey. Coming out can be a liberating experience when met with love.
• Finding a supportive community is crucial for self-discovery.
• Cultural identity plays a significant role in personal growth.
• Intentionality in choosing spaces can enhance one's sense of belonging.
• Experiential learning in therapy fosters deeper connections.
• Authenticity in therapy leads to more effective practice.
• Gratitude towards supportive individuals is essential.
• Navigating professional spaces requires self-awareness and intention.
• Building connections with others can provide...

In this conversation, Hale Morissette shares their journey as a social worker, community organizer, and activist. They discuss the importance of organizing work as a matter of life and death, the motivations behind their activism, and the role of transformative justice in mental health. Hale emphasizes the significance of building relationships in organizing, leading with love, and navigating conflict within activist spaces. They also highlight the need for community-centered approaches to care and the innovative work being done through Overflow Health Alliance.

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Find Hale: ⁠Website⁠

Overflow Health Alliance

Soul Step Solutions

Follow Hale:

IG: @djhale__

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 Find Alefyah:

Therapy/Consultation: ⁠www.taquitherapy.com⁠

Podcast Episodes: ⁠www.deconstructingtherapy.com⁠

IG: ⁠@taquitherapy⁠ & ⁠@deconstructingtherapy⁠

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Special Thanks: George Alvarez

In this conversation, Alefyah Taqui and Bethanie Mangigian explore the complexities of therapy, authenticity, and the profound impact of grief on personal and professional growth. They discuss the importance of dialogue among therapists, the necessity of self-care, and the duality of grief and gratitude. Bethanie shares her journey through grief, emphasizing how it has transformed her understanding of emotions, relationships, and her therapeutic practice. The conversation highlights the significance of community, mindfulness, and the privilege of slowing down in a fast-paced world, ultimately advocating for a more integrated and compassionate approach to self and others.

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Find Bethanie:⁠⁠Website⁠⁠

Bethanie’s Recommendations:

The Wild Edge of Sorrow by Francis Weller

It’s Ok that you are Not Ok by Megan Devine

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Find Alefyah:

Therapy/Consultation:⁠⁠www.taquitherapy.com⁠⁠

Podcast Episodes:⁠⁠www.deconstructingtherapy.com⁠⁠

IG:⁠⁠@taquitherapy⁠⁠&⁠⁠@deconstructingtherapy⁠⁠

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Speci...

Summary

In this conversation, Alefyah Taqui and Jean discuss the complexities of Asian identity, cultural nuances, and the importance of affinity groups in providing support and understanding. They explore the challenges of navigating different cultural environments, the role of family dynamics, and the significance of emotional expression in therapy. The discussion emphasizes the need for curiosity, humility, and community in therapeutic practices, while also addressing the historical context of cultural identity and the ongoing journey of understanding oneself and others.

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Find Jean: ⁠⁠Website⁠⁠

Jean’s Featured Organizations

⁠⁠CAATCH⁠

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Find Alefyah:

Therapy/Consultation: ⁠⁠www.taquitherapy.com⁠⁠

Podcast Episodes: ⁠⁠www.deconstructingtherapy.com⁠⁠

IG: ⁠⁠@taquitherapy⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠@deconstructingtherapy⁠⁠

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Special Thanks: George Alvarez

Takeaways

• <...

In this conversation, Alefyah Taqui and Alix Smith explore the intersection of education, therapy, and systemic change. They discuss the challenges faced by educators and therapists in addressing trauma and systemic issues, the importance of vulnerability and self-awareness in therapeutic relationships, and the need for equitable practices in mental health care. Alix shares her personal journey from teaching to counseling, highlighting the impact of systemic barriers on students and the importance of creating trauma-informed environments. The conversation emphasizes the significance of acknowledging shame, fostering curiosity, and embracing vulnerability in the healing process.

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Find Alix: ⁠⁠Website⁠⁠

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Find Alefyah:

Therapy/Consultation: ⁠⁠www.taquitherapy.com⁠⁠

Podcast Episodes: ⁠⁠www.deconstructingtherapy.com⁠⁠

IG: ⁠⁠@taquitherapy⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠@deconstructingtherapy⁠⁠

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Special Thanks: George Alvarez

In this conversation, Alefyah Taqui and Natasha Sandy explore the complexities of the therapeutic relationship, emphasizing authenticity, vulnerability, and the importance of navigating ruptures and repairs. They discuss the impact of social justice on personal identity and the therapeutic process, highlighting the need for slowness in therapy to foster deeper connections and understanding. The dialogue underscores the significance of recognizing and addressing power dynamics within therapy, as well as the value of embracing the messiness of human relationships as a pathway to growth and healing.

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Find Natasha: ⁠⁠Website⁠⁠

IG: @rehumanizingourselves

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Find Alefyah:

Therapy/Consultation: ⁠⁠www.taquitherapy.com⁠⁠

Podcast Episodes: ⁠⁠www.deconstructingtherapy.com⁠⁠

IG: ⁠⁠@taquitherapy⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠@deconstructingtherapy⁠⁠

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Special Thanks: George Alvarez

Find Christina:
Website

Christina’s Featured Organizations:

• White Awake
• Visions, Inc.

Find Alefyah:

• Therapy/Consultation: www.taquitherapy.com
• Podcast Episodes: www.deconstructingtherapy.com
• IG: @taquitherapy & @deconstructingtherapy

Special Thanks <3
George Alvarez | IMDB

In this conversation, Virginia Walls emphasizes the importance of connection to the earth, community, and the inner healer in the process of healing and personal growth. She discusses how plant allies and supportive relationships contribute to our well-being and how we often reach our limitations, necessitating the support of others.

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Find Virginia: ⁠⁠Website⁠⁠

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Find Alefyah: Therapy/Consultation: ⁠⁠www.taquitherapy.com⁠⁠

Podcast Episodes: ⁠⁠www.deconstructingtherapy.com⁠⁠

IG: ⁠⁠@taquitherapy⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠@deconstructingtherapy⁠⁠

 Buy Me a Coffee

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⁠Special Thanks: George  (Jorge) Alvarez

⁠IMDB⁠

The conversation explores the importance of empathetic attunement and curiosity in communication. It emphasizes that making mistakes is a natural part of interactions and highlights the need for active engagement to navigate emotional misses. The speakers discuss how curiosity can enhance understanding and foster deeper connections in conversations.

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Find Ashwini: ⁠⁠Website⁠⁠

Ashwini's Fea⁠⁠⁠tured Resources:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠Dear Project⁠
• ⁠⁠Beyond Fragility⁠
• ⁠The Culture Test⁠

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Find Alefyah: Therapy/Consultation: ⁠⁠www.taquitherapy.com⁠⁠

Podcast Episodes: ⁠⁠www.deconstructingtherapy.com⁠⁠

IG: ⁠⁠@taqui...