Undoing Internalized Oppression: Reclaiming Your Story in Therapy
- Dr. Sophia Aguirre, Ph.D., CGP, FAGPA
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
Many of us grow up absorbing messages about who we are “supposed” to be—messages shaped by culture, family, religion, and the larger systems around us. For BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities, these messages often come layered with racism, colorism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, and other forms of oppression. Over time, these external forces can become internal voices of self-doubt and shame—a process known as internalized oppression.
Therapy can be a space to begin unlearning those internalized narratives and reconnecting with your own truth. At the Aguirre Center for Inclusive Psychotherapy, we view healing as an act of resistance—an intentional reclamation of your story and your worth.
What Does Undoing Internalized Oppression Mean?
Undoing internalized oppression involves recognizing how oppressive systems have influenced the way we think about ourselves, others, and our place in the world. It means noticing the moments when we’ve been taught to mistrust our bodies, silence our voices, or question our belonging.
In therapy, this work often looks like:
Naming the societal and cultural forces that shaped your self-beliefs
Understanding how those forces show up in your relationships, work, and self-talk
Replacing harmful internalized messages with compassionate, affirming truths
This is not about blame—it’s about liberation. When we understand that these wounds are collective, not personal failures, we open the door to self-compassion and empowerment.
Reclaiming Your Story Through Culturally Affirming Therapy
At ACIP, we practice from a decolonized and culturally affirming framework, meaning that your cultural identity, lived experiences, and intersecting identities are not just acknowledged—they are central to the healing process.
Reclaiming your story might involve:
Exploring how your family’s survival strategies shaped your identity
Reconnecting with ancestral wisdom and cultural pride
Challenging the narratives of “not enoughness” that come from systemic marginalization
Building new stories rooted in resilience, joy, and authenticity
For many BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ clients, this work also means rediscovering community and collective healing. Therapy can be the first step in breaking cycles of silence, shame, and disconnection that oppression tries to sustain.
The Role of the Therapist in Undoing Internalized Oppression
A therapist’s role is not to dictate what healing should look like—it’s to walk beside you with curiosity, humility, and cultural awareness. Therapists trained in anti-oppressive and trauma-informed care recognize that your struggles are not isolated, but deeply connected to systems of power and inequality.
At the Aguirre Center, we understand that therapy is not neutral—it is political, relational, and personal. Our clinicians are intentional about creating spaces that honor your full humanity and support you in reclaiming agency over your own narrative.
Begin Reclaiming Your Story Today
Undoing internalized oppression is courageous work—it asks you to question old stories and imagine new possibilities. But you don’t have to do it alone.
If you’re ready to begin the process of reclaiming your story, our therapists at the Aguirre Center for Inclusive Psychotherapy are here to walk alongside you. We offer culturally responsive, affirming therapy for BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ individuals ready to heal from oppression and reconnect with their authentic selves.
📍 Learn more or request a consultation at www.inclusivepsych.com
Aguirre Center for Inclusive Psychotherapy
Providing culturally-affirming, anti-oppressive and inclusive counseling and therapy in Atlanta, Georgia and beyond.