We create this content from the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Tsleil-Waututh, and Squamish Nations. As settlers providing therapy services in so-called Vancouver, we’re committed to moving beyond acknowledgment into active accountability.
In This Guide:
- Beyond Bath Bombs and Bubble Tea
- Understanding Systems-Care
- Barriers to Care Under Colonial Capitalism
- Building Collective Care Practices
- Practical Systems-Care Approaches
- Next Steps
Beyond Bath Bombs and Bubble Tea
Through Vancouver BIPOC therapy, we understand that the mainstream wellness industry, we understand that the mainstream wellness industry has commodified self-care into individual consumption practices. While there’s nothing wrong with enjoying comfort activities, the “treat yourself” narrative often masks deeper systemic issues.
What’s missing from mainstream self-care discourse:
- Recognition of systemic barriers
- Understanding of collective trauma
- Acknowledgment of colonial capitalism’s impact
- Cultural approaches to healing
- Community care practices
Understanding Systems-Care
Systems-care recognizes that our wellbeing is interconnected with community and systemic conditions. As providers of culturally responsive counselling in Vancouver, we explore how healing happens within broader social contexts.
Key aspects of systems-care include:
- Recognition of systemic impacts on health
- Understanding collective trauma responses
- Honoring cultural healing practices
- Supporting community wellbeing
- Addressing root causes of distress
Barriers to Care Under Colonial Capitalism
For SDQTBIPOC+ communities, individual self-care often becomes another burden under systems designed for exhaustion. Through social justice oriented therapy in Vancouver, we examine how colonial capitalism creates specific barriers to wellness.
Common barriers include:
- Limited access to resources
- Time scarcity under capitalism
- Cultural disconnection
- Systemic discrimination in healthcare
- Economic barriers to traditional practices
Building Collective Care Practices
As a Queer, POC-led counselling practice in Vancouver, we explore how collective care practices can support healing beyond individual coping strategies and even beyond relationship counselling in Vancouver. This means understanding wellness as a community practice rather than just personal responsibility.
Collective care might look like:
- Sharing resources and skills
- Creating support networks
- Honoring cultural healing traditions
- Building sustainable care practices
- Supporting community initiatives
Practical Systems-Care Approaches
Through intersectional feminist therapy approaches, we explore practical ways to engage in systems-care while navigating current realities. This means finding sustainable approaches that honor both individual needs and collective wellbeing.
Daily practices might include:
- Connecting with cultural traditions
- Supporting community initiatives
- Sharing resources when possible
- Building reciprocal care networks
- Honoring collective wisdom
Next Steps in Your Healing Journey
Ready to explore how anti-oppressive therapy can support your healing beyond individual self-care? Here are some ways to connect:
- Book a free consultation to discuss how therapy might support your journey.
- Take our 3-minute questionnaire to receive personalized therapist recommendations.
- Explore our free resource database for more information about anti-oppressive approaches to healing.
Have questions? Reach out to us at connect@venturouscounselling.com or text 778.775.7504.
True care extends beyond individual practices. Your healing journey is connected to collective wellbeing and systemic change.
Healing is most effective when rooted in collective support and inclusivity. Community Care & Anti-Oppressive Therapy emphasizes equitable, trauma-informed practices that empower individuals while fostering a sense of belonging.
Intersectional Healing recognizes the interconnectedness of identities and experiences, creating a space where collective care and community support are central to the healing process.
Healing isn’t about fitting into a mold—it’s about breaking free from outdated narratives. Unlearning Therapy challenges the portrayals of therapy in media and explores what real, transformative healing looks like.
