Why Representation & Diversity Matter in the Mental Health Field with Alishia McCullough

In this week’s episode of Off the Cuff with Danny LoPriore, I’m talking with Alishia McCullough –  writer, co-founder of the Amplify Melanated Voices Movement, and millennial Licensed Clinical Mental Health Therapist. Together, we explore her work as a therapist, how the field still lacks diversity and inclusion, and generational trauma and PTSD in communities of color. 

 

“I will say in a lot of the programs that are PWI programs, which for folks who might not know, Predominantly White Institutions, I think those programs are still catching up to thinking about diversity or thinking about social identity and how treatment models look different..  I really would like for more programs to incorporate and integrate other lenses into this treatment because that’s what helps us work with different people.” (7:30)

 

We touch on New Age white guilt, how the last few years have impacted her work as a black woman in the field, and why people of color need to set solid boundaries around their work, energy, and time. 

 

“When you’re like, No, I’m not doing it,’ that’s when you get all of that defense around, ‘Well, why not? Didn’t you want us to learn about racism?’” (22:12) 

 

As a clinician that specifically helps individuals through eating disorders, we also explore diet culture and how to ground your body through the feelings that come with food. Lastly, we break down how a history of slavery can be presented in modern-day institutions, why standardized systems abandon the unique qualities of each person, and why she decided to build her company, Black and Embodied Counseling and Consulting. Keep an eye out for her next book, which will come out within the next year! 

 

“I’m currently working on – well, finishing up – a book called Claiming the Black Body. It’s gonna be huge. It’s really based on eating disorders and black communities and the trauma and the embodiment – all the things we’ve been talking about – alongside unpacking the healing work as well.” (56:11)

 

In This Episode: 

(1:39) What it’s like being Millennial in this profession (3:50) The life events that pushed her into this field  (6:41) How curriculum is lagging in terms of inclusion  (8:48) Why representation matters in mental health work (11:31) How Alishia’s personal experiences inform her understanding of what people of color might need in a clinical setting (14:38) PTSD in black communities  (18:41) The individual effects of colonization and slavery on people of color (20:30) Alishia’s experience with white guilt as a therapist (26:22) How to begin changing your relationship with food  (35:08) The outdated ideals the healthcare system uses to determine health/wellness  (39:35) The correlation between professional sports and slavery (45:34) Why physical health is unique to each person  (47:46) How Alishia began Black and Embodied  (52:45) Her thoughts on Black Lives Matter (55:42) The hopes that Alishia has for her future and her impact on the world  (59:10) “I actually am. I’m in a really great space…”

  

Resources & Links

Off The Cuff

https://www.offthecuff.fm/ https://www.youtube.com/c/OffTheCuffwithDannyLoPriore https://www.instagram.com/1and1otc/ https://www.instagram.com/dannylopriore/

Alishia McCullough

https://linktr.ee/AlishiaMcCullough  https://www.instagram.com/blackandembodied/?hl=en https://www.blackandembodied.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/alishia-mccullough