This past month our founder Brittani Williams, LCSW was featured on the CONFETTI ALL AROUND podcast episode hosted by Chicana therapist Cynthia Perez, LCSW. In this Episode Cynthia and Brittani discuss the following topics: healing through culture, the pioneering EMDRIA-approved EMDR + Hip Hop Therapy Training, Tapping into Inner Resources, Building a Legacy of Grit and Resilience and also an Altar Offering and Legacy Soundtrack. This podcast was a beautiful exchange of two therapists discussing areas and topics that are specific to their identities as BIPOC therapists in the field.

Embracing Vulnerability in Therapy: Brittani and Cynthia discuss the importance of creating a safe and authentic therapeutic space for the BIPOC community. Brittani shares her insights, emphasizing the role of vulnerability in therapists, fostering genuine connections, and dismantling the stereotypes of formalized approaches. Brittani emphasizes that therapists are not just professionals but also individuals stating,

“When joining Healmatic as a therapist, you understand that it involves more than learning evidence-based practices; it's about discovering a personal approach, similar to how grandmothers cook in the kitchen. They don't use measurements they add flavor…..sometimes there's a person in the family that likes their food a little bit more spicier, sometimes there's more sugar, that's how I really view therapy." Here at Healmatic, we value adding our own personal "flavor" to therapy and recognizing that different people may require a different approach to their healing.”

Healing through Hip-Hop: The conversation then takes us to the world of hip-hop therapy and EMDR. Brittani talks about an upcoming training developed by her mentor Jacqui Johnson, that harmonizes EMDR therapy with Hip-Hop therapy, showing the link of rhythm, movement, and cultural context for the BIPOC community. Brittani discusses how Hip-Hop involves bilateral movement, where the verses of a song often represent negative cognitions or trauma, while the hook signifies positive cognitions. Combining these elements with rhythmic movement creates bilateral stimulation, a crucial component of EMDR. Brittani stresses that our culture has used these tools for generations, stating

"EMDR has taken the rhythmic movement that our cultures have always known to be healing to facilitate the adaptive information processing." This conversation resonates with Healmatic's commitment to the intersection of hip-hop and healing, highlighting the profound influence of music and culture on therapy.

Tapping into Inner Resources: Brittani shares her personal coping strategies, discussing the significance of tapping into inner resources during challenging moments. Drawing strength from figures like Nipsey Hussle, J. Cole, and Kendrick Lamar, she explains how their wisdom becomes a useful guiding force in navigating the complexities of life. “I almost see Nipsey like he’s my wise uncle that’s good with business and then J. Cole is like my older brother…and I see Kendrick like, my close cousin”. This conversation emphasizes that Hip-Hop therapy and EMDR are not just elements we introduce in the therapy setting; they are strategies incorporated into our daily lives.

Building a Legacy of Grit and Resilience: Painting a visionary picture, Brittani envisions herself as a future ancestor in the making. Brittani shares and she would like to be remembered as a person characterized by relentless grit and resilience. She acknowledges overcoming challenges and defying expectations as a single mom, pushing boundaries in various aspects of her life. Her motivation for establishing Healmatic and leaving her stable job is rooted in creating a diverse therapeutic team and ensuring a space for therapist where they don’t have to act like someone, they’re not to fit in. She then looks at it from a generational point of view, stating “I did it to honor my grandma…so, I would like to be remembered as someone that represents that, someone that carries the legacy of my grandparents”.

Altar Offering and Legacy Soundtrack: Brittani was asked that song would serve as a lasting tribute for her family to revisit in the years to come. Her response was, "UMI Says" by Mos Def, a choice that pays homage to Mos Def's ancestors and celebrates the essence of black liberation, Brittani goes on to explain, that Umi Say’s is a song that embodies free association because he freestyle the whole track, hence the EMDR term “go with it.” This selection emphasizes Brittani's and Healmatics' shared purpose of creating a space for healing that will connect across generations, all while paying homage and respect to our ancestors.

This conversation between two knowledgeable and experienced therapists offers a glimpse into what therapy means and should be for the BIPOC community. The focus here at Healtmatic, is to create a personalized and culturally aware therapeutic experience. This approach is shown in the podcast, where topics like the integration of hip-hop and EMDR in therapy, the importance of embracing vulnerability, and tapping into cultural and personal inner resources were discussed. Brittani’s comparison of therapy to grandma's cooking – without strict measurements but with a lot of personalized flavor – perfectly captures Healmatic’s philosophy.