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How can therapists create safe spaces for bi-racial clients to navigate their identity? Can you place a boundary even within your family in order not to sacrifice your own tranquility? What can therapists do to care for themselves as well as their clients?
In this podcast episode takeover, LaToya Smith speaks with Chioma Moronu about keeping your inner peace.
Meet Chioma Moronu
Chioma Moronu, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Fort Worth, TX. Chioma attended Texas Christian University where she earned her Bachelors in Social Work. She continued her education at the University of Texas at Arlington where she obtained her Masters in Social Work.
Chioma is an activist for human rights and social justice. She has had extensive training in trauma work through the Trauma Support Services of North Texas. She is currently a Program Director for a non-profit behavioral health program working with youth by day and private practice at night.
Her passion is helping those struggling with identity formation, who come from biracial and multicultural backgrounds.
Visit her website and connect on Instagram.
In This Podcast
Summary
- Keeping your inner peace
- Microaggressions
- Chioma’s advice to therapists on keeping space for their clients as well as themselves
Keeping your inner peace
Just because someone is family, you do not have to sacrifice your inner peace to connect with them if they are prejudiced towards you. You can put your inner tranquility at the forefront and disconnect from that person if they are unable to navigate the change of mindset to have you in their lives.
Microaggressions
So, ‘what are you’ makes it seem as if the person in front of you is no longer a person but a thing, because you ask people ‘what is that’ to things, not people. (Chioma Moronu)
People do not need to share any information with you about their background or where they grew up, they can if they want to and feel comfortable doing that. Nobody is obliged to answer questions, especially if someone is twisting the question to insinuate that they must not belong here.
If you want to know where somebody is from, or where their family is from, and they give you their answer, do not dig deeper unnecessarily. Keeping this boundary can help you to maintain your inner peace, by placing a space around yourself, you do not have to go down this road in the conversation with somebody if you do not want to.
Chioma’s advice to therapists on keeping space for their clients as well as themselves
In order for us to be able to continue the fight, we have to be able to take care of ourselves for the fight. (Chioma Moronu)
Chioma is a big advocate for caring for your mental health and making conscious time to put your mental health and self-care high up on your priority list. Make sure to incorporate some self-care into your daily routine so that you can show up for yourself first and then are therefore able to show up for your clients.
With bi-racial clients, therapists should not assume their client’s identity but rather create a safe space where they can explore and navigate their own identity with you.
Useful Links:
- LaToya Smith Podcast Takeover “A Racial Awakening Is Happening” with Julianna Vermeys and Andrea Redeau | PoP 511
- The All Things Substance Podcast
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Meet LaToya Smith
LaToya is a consultant with Practice of the Practice and the owner of LCS Counseling and Consulting Agency in Fortworth Texas. She firmly believes that people don’t have to remain stuck in their pain or the place they became wounded. She encourages her clients to be active in their treatment and work towards their desired outcome.
She has also launched Strong Witness which is a platform designed to connect, transform, and heal communities through the power of storytelling.
Visit LaToya’s website.
Connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, Strong Witness Instagram, and Twitter.
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