Deconstructing Therapy

Alefyah Taqui
  • 5.0 (1)
  • MENTAL HEALTH

A podcast redefining the way we approach healing, relationships, and mental health. We challenge the status quo and traditional therapy frameworks that often fall short in today’s rapidly evolving society. Through conversations with therapists, activists, and thought leaders, we explore bold, community-centered approaches to mental health that honor the complexities of our world. Together, we’ll uncover how connection, shared stories, and innovative practices can adapt therapy to the needs of our time. Let’s reimagine what healing looks like in the here and now.

  1. 11/12/2025

    S2E4: Bridging Worlds: A Cultural Broker’s Lessons on Migration, Attachment, and Relentless Curiosity with Liliana Baylon, LMFT-S, RPT-S

    Episode 4 | Season 2 Bridging Worlds: A Cultural Broker’s Lessons on Migration, Attachment, and Relentless Curiosity Guest: Liliana Baylon (@lilianabaylon) In this deeply reflective conversation, Alefyah sits down with therapist, trainer, and cultural bridge Liliana Baylon to explore what it means to live—and heal—between worlds. The eldest daughter in a migrant family, Liliana grew up translating language, systems, and emotion for her loved ones long before she had the words cultural broker. She shares how those early experiences shaped her path from business and mediation work into therapy, play therapy, and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)—and how each step invited her to zoom out, see the larger system, and keep asking questions. Together, Alefyah and Liliana trace the tender intersections of migration, family roles, and attachment through a cultural lens. They talk about the weight of being “the bridge,” the loneliness of belonging nowhere, and the quiet wisdom found in rituals and traditions that Western therapy often overlooks. Liliana describes how EFT first made her feel like her family “did attachment wrong,” and how curiosity, therapy, and compassion helped her rediscover the love that had always been there—just spoken in a different language. This episode is a meditation on curiosity as resistance: a way of humanizing our parents, reclaiming ancestral healing, and refusing to let any one lens—Western or traditional—define what care looks like. Highlights & Takeaways The cultural broker: eldest child, translator, advocate, and bridge between two worlds From MBA to mediation to therapy—when purpose shifts from planning to human connection “Zooming in and out”: child, couple, family, community—the whole system needs healing When EFT training first felt like “we did attachment wrong,” and what came after Pathologizing vs. contextualizing: seeing trauma and resilience in migration stories Humor, repair, and humility when working cross-culturally Rediscovering traditional healing and balancing it with clinical science “Nothing’s wrong with you”: exploring, integrating, and letting go with choice and compassion Curiosity as a daily practice—for clients, systems, and the self Mentioned Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) EMDR and Play Therapy Cultural brokerage and migration-informed therapy Traditional healing practices & University of New Mexico’s program on curanderismo Parallel processes between therapist and client The power of rituals, gardens, and nonverbal connection Connect with Liliana Baylon Training & Consultation: lilianabaylon.com Therapy Services: Healing Relationships Counseling Services ✨ Connect with Deconstructing Therapy (Alefyah Taqui) Therapy / Consultation • All Podcast Episodes Instagram: @taquitherapy • @deconstructingtherapy Facebook • TikTok • YouTube Special Thanks: George Alvarez & Rayana Consulting Chapters (00:00:00) - How to Explore Your Anxiety(00:00:35) - Deconstructing Therapy(00:01:55) - Teaching as a healer: What Got You into This Work?(00:10:23) - Working with migrants and first-generation families(00:16:48) - What EFT Community Members Need to Know(00:17:39) - "In the World of Curiosity"(00:18:46) - How EFT helped me learn how to Love my Parents(00:25:49) - How to assess a patient's care(00:26:37) - How to Let Go of Anxiety and Cognitive Challenges(00:31:02) - How to help a migrant parent with his trauma(00:37:14) - Wonders of Traditional Healing and the EFT

    42 min

  2. 10/22/2025

    S2E3: Wins We’re Not Taught: People Power, Public Power, and Practical Hope with Jasmine Brown

    Episode 3 | Season 2 Wins We’re Not Taught: People Power, Public Power, and Practical Hope Guest: Jasmine Brown (@jasminebrownformayor) In this grounded and inspiring conversation, Alefyah sits down with organizer and activist Jasmine Brown to trace her journey from early disillusionment to practical hope. Jasmine shares how watching her parents work without “getting ahead,” moving through low-wage jobs, and witnessing police harm lit a lifelong fire for justice—and how learning itself transformed her: not just learning to read, but learning how to learn, to stay curious, and to make knowledge actionable. From her first protest at Pensacola’s Graffiti Bridge to speaking at city council against Florida Power & Light’s monopoly contract, Jasmine reflects on what organizing taught her about connection, courage, and how much common ground truly exists across political lines. Whether she’s door-knocking in the South or trading soil and plant starts with neighbors across the political spectrum, Jasmine reminds us: most people want the same things—dignity, housing, community, and care. A turning point comes from a delegation with the International People’s Assembly to Cuba, where culture isn’t an add-on—it’s woven into political life. Jasmine describes dancing as grounding, popular education as a practice of dignity, and CENESEX’s model of supporting harmed people while educating families, so we don’t throw people away. Along the way, she names the wins we’re rarely taught—slave rebellions, local mutual-aid victories—and why remembering them sustains the long game. As she says, “You don’t have to take down the war machine—just pick up a broom.” Since this recording, Jasmine has launched a campaign for Mayor of Pensacola, running on the slogan “Pensacola for the people, not the developers.” Her movement continues the message of this episode: real power begins face-to-face, with everyday people talking—and acting—together. Highlights & Takeaways The awakening: refusing to normalize exploitation and extraction From anger to action: channeling frustration into local campaigns (public power, utilities, housing) Learning how to learn: curiosity → agency → actionable change Cuba & culture: music/dance as organizing infrastructure, not extras CENESEX model: protect the harmed person and keep working with the family/community Hidden histories, real wins: why we’re not taught them—and why they matter Finding common ground across difference—knocking on doors, not walls “Pick up a broom”: regulate overwhelm through small, tangible steps Mentioned Pedagogy of the Oppressed — Paulo Freire Septima Poinsette Clark — “the power of people when they are given the truth” James Baldwin — “Those who say it can’t be done…” (guiding inspiration) Assata: An Autobiography — Assata Shakur Revolutionary Suicide — Huey P. Newton Zora Neale Hurston — anthropology & everyday life International People’s Assembly (delegation to Cuba) CENESEX (Cuba) — National Center for Sex Education Connect with Jasmine Brown Instagram: @jasminebrownformayor Campaign: Pensacola for the Pe... Chapters (00:00:03) - Deconstruction: Jasmine Brown(00:01:10) - Jasmine on How She Came to Love Environmentalism(00:05:58) - Did Your Parents Push You Into Psychology?(00:09:52) - Independents Turn from Blue to Green(00:15:11) - Participants on the 2020 election(00:20:21) - USWS on the Cuba Trip(00:26:42) - How to reach out to the people of the US(00:33:35) - Picking Up A Broom: DeShawn's Therapy

    35 min

  3. 10/08/2025

    S2E2: Rooted in Presence: Authenticity and the Self of the Therapist wit Dr. James “Doc Hawk” Hawkins, LPC

    Episode 2 | Season 2 Rooted in Presence: Authenticity and the Self of the Therapist Guest: Dr. James “Doc Hawk” Hawkins In this powerful conversation, Alefyah and Dr. James “Doc Hawk” Hawkins trace his path from Air Force medic to therapist and trainer—and how culture, race, and identity shaped that journey. James shares candidly about early messages from family (“you’ll have to work harder just to be in the conversation”), navigating predominantly white training spaces, and the nervous-system load of being a Black male therapist in the South. He offers grounded, practical wisdom on bringing one’s full self into the therapy room—without betraying authenticity to be “more palatable.” They explore how mentors encouraged James to “trust your instincts,” how attachment science can serve equity and healing, and why Self of the Therapist work matters for longevity—especially for therapists who’ve been socialized to code-switch or shrink. James also demonstrates subtle but meaningful clinical choices (like honoring clients by name while using proxy voice) and offers an empowering lens to disentangle cultural trauma from culture itself: honor the protective strategy, then ask what it costs—and whether it’s still needed. This episode is an invitation to therapists and communities alike: take back the fullness of your humanity, lead with congruence, and let your body become the thermostat—able to read the room and gently set the temperature for connection, truth-telling, and change. Highlights & takeaways From medic to therapist: following the pull to sit with people in hard moments Authenticity over performance: refusing to betray self for palatability The lobby moment: race, visibility, and nervous-system realities for Black therapists Mentors who empower instincts (and why that changes your work) Self of the Therapist: being a thermostat, not a thermometer Cultural trauma vs. culture: honor the function, examine the cost, choose what to keep Congruence as care: why “you being you” is the mos... Chapters (00:00:00) - December 7, 2016: Deconstructing Therapy(00:01:16) - Dr. James Hawkins(00:04:29) - Black Psychotherapists on The Cultural Switch(00:10:24) - Alief on Working With Black People(00:14:54) - James Baldwin on Contemplating deconstruction(00:19:36) - An Asian Therapist's Powerful Message For Her Clients(00:22:09) - How to Be a Therapist(00:24:24) - What Is The Self of The Therapist?(00:28:22) - The cultural trauma of EFT(00:30:31) - How to Lead a Live Couple(00:35:22) - Leafy on Deconstructing Therapy

    37 min

  4. 09/23/2025

    S2E1: BREAKING CYCLES, NOT BREAKING AWAY: Re-connecting to what trauma couldn’t touch with Dr. Pauline Yeghnazar Peck, Ph. D

    Episode 1 | Season 2 Guest: Dr. Pauline Yeghnazar Peck, Ph.D. In this rich and moving conversation, Alefyah and Dr. Pauline Yeghnazar Peck explore the ways cultural identity, grief, and healing weave through our personal and professional lives. Together, they look at how therapy can either reinforce harmful narratives—or open the door to reclaiming one’s cultural roots as a source of strength and belonging. Dr. Pauline shares her lived experiences of navigating multiple cultural identities and the ways therapy has both supported and challenged that journey. She speaks candidly about the impact of loss, the internalized messages that can come from colonial and Western frameworks, and how she has learned to trust her own inner voice. The conversation emphasizes the dangers of pathologizing cultural backgrounds in therapy, and instead, highlights the power of honoring ancestral gifts and traditions. Pauline and Alefyah also reflect on the importance of reconnecting with nature as a practice of grounding and remembering, especially in a world that often disconnects us from our bodies and our roots. This episode is an invitation to therapists and clients alike: healing is not just about looking inward, but also about reaching back—toward our ancestors, our communities, and the cultural practices that help us remember who we are. Connect with Dr. Pauline Yeghnazar Peck Bridging Gaps, Breaking Cycles (coaching, speaking, consulting): pauline-peck.mykajabi.com/resources Noor Therapy and Wellness (group practice): www.noortherapyandwellness.com Instagram: @paulinethepsychologist TikTok: @paulinethepsychologist LinkedIn: Pauline Yeghnazar Peck Facebook: Pauline Yeghnazar Peck YouTube: Pauline Yeghnazar Peck or @paulinethepsychologist ✨ Connect with Deconstructing Therapy (Alefyah Taqui) Therapy/Consultation All Podcast Episodes Instagram: @taquitherapy & @deconstructingtherapy Facebook: @deconstructingtherapy TikTok: @deconstructingtherapy YouTube: @DeconstructingTherapy Special Thanks: George Alvarez Chapters (00:00:00) - Deconstructing Therapy: The Need to Heal the Cultures(00:01:14) - Dr. Pauline Yugnizarpeck on Breaking Cy(00:02:24) - How To Heal Your Family's Mental Health(00:09:46) - As a healer, I learned to listen to my intuition(00:13:08) - Pauline on Her Cultural Disconnection(00:18:57) - On the Flow of Life(00:23:03) - The Decolonization of Therapy(00:29:24) - Free Download: The Immigrant Experience(00:33:36) - How to Connect with Your Body After Trauma(00:39:44) - Deconstructing Therapy

    41 min

  5. 05/30/2025

    SEASON 1 FINALE: Unapologetically Me: Deconstructing Therapy from the Inside Out | With Nalini & Alefyah

    Summary In this conversation, Alefyah Taqui shares her personal journey, exploring her childhood, cultural influences, health challenges, and the transformative experiences that shaped her as a therapist. The discussion delves into her struggles with a severe eye infection, the trauma of navigating the medical system, and the empowering moment of giving birth on her own terms. Through her story, Alefyah reflects on the lessons learned about trust, empowerment, and the importance of listening to one's own body and experiences. In this conversation, Alefyah Taqui discusses her experiences as a Pakistani American woman navigating the medical field in Alabama, the flaws of the Western medical system, and the importance of holistic care in therapy. She reflects on her cultural identity, the impact of 9/11 on her life, and the significance of acknowledging the ongoing crisis in Palestine. The dialogue emphasizes the need for authentic relationships in therapy and the complexities of privilege and safety in today's society.  ------------------------------------------------------------------- Find Nalini: ⁠⁠Website⁠⁠ Nalini’s Featured Organizations ⁠⁠EFT-LIFELINE⁠ ------------------------------------------------------------------ Find Alefyah: Therapy/Consultation: ⁠⁠www.taquitherapy.com⁠⁠ Podcast Episodes: ⁠⁠www.deconstructingtherapy.com⁠⁠ IG: ⁠⁠@taquitherapy⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠@deconstructingtherapy⁠⁠ ------------------------------------------------------------------- Special Thanks: George Alvarez ...

    32 min

  6. 05/16/2025

    ENCORE: Re-visiting Rupture and Repair with Natasha Sandy, RP

    Re-Release: Rupture & Repair with Natasha Sandy In this heartfelt and layered re-release, Alefyah Taqui sits down with Natasha Sandy to explore the complex emotional terrain of the therapeutic relationship. Together, they examine what it means to be authentic, vulnerable, and human—both as therapists and as people doing their own inner work. This conversation weaves through themes of rupture and repair, decolonization, identity, and the impact of social media on therapist visibility and boundaries. Natasha and Alefyah speak candidly about the discomfort of being seen, the importance of emotional risk, and the messy, nonlinear nature of growth and healing. They also reflect on: The role of community in the therapeutic process The challenge of navigating personal and cultural identities The power of experiential learning over intellectual insight The necessity of making space for disagreement and tension in healing spaces If you’ve ever felt unsure about how to "do it right" in the therapy room—or in life—this episode is a powerful reminder that being human is the work.     Find Natasha Sandy Website: www.natashasandy.com Instagram: @rehumanizingourselves Find Alefyah Taqui Therapy/Consultation: www.taquitherapy.com Podcast Episodes: www.deconstructingtherapy.com Instagram: @taquitherapy | @deconstructingtherapy Special Thanks George Alvarez Chapters (00:00:00) - The Therapeutic Relationship: A Journey of Authenticity(00:03:09) - Social Media and Vulnerability in Therapy(00:05:56) - Navigating Personal and Cultural Identity(00:08:51) - Awakening to Systemic Issues(00:12:11) - The Challenge of Rupture and Repair(00:15:11) - Experiential Learning in Therapy(00:17:48) - The Liberation Process: Embracing Change(00:23:51) - 23:51The Power of Slowness in Therapy(00:28:01) - Rupture and Repair: Building Trust with Clients(00:32:31) - Navigating Conflict and Disagreement(00:38:58) - Boundaries and Cultural Nuances in Therapy(00:40:57) - Embracing Imperfection in Therapeutic Relationships

    47 min

  7. 05/09/2025

    EP. 13: The Importance of Being Seen: EFT Therapy Through a Multicultural Lens with Dr. Paul Guillory, Ph.D

    Summary In this conversation, Dr. Paul T. Guillory discusses the intersection of culturally informed care and emotionally focused therapy (EFT). He shares his journey from sports psychology to therapy, emphasizing the importance of understanding cultural influences on emotional expression and attachment. Dr. Guillory highlights the unique stressors faced by individuals from diverse backgrounds and the need for therapists to be aware of these factors in their practice. He advocates for a more inclusive approach to therapy that recognizes the complexities of cultural identity and the impact of systemic issues such as racism and trauma.Takeaways Cultural influences shape emotional expression and attachment. Emotionally focused therapy (EFT) integrates attachment theory with cultural context. Therapists must be aware of the unique stressors faced by clients from diverse backgrounds. Cultural identity is a lifelong development process. Curiosity about culture enhances therapeutic relationships. Racism and trauma significantly impact relationships and attachment. Therapists should create safe environments for clients to discuss cultural influences. Understanding cultural nuances is essential for effective therapy. The dominant culture often overlooks the complexities of multicultural experiences. Therapists need to adapt their approaches to meet the needs of diverse clients.   ------------------------------------------------------------------- Find Dr. Guillory: ⁠⁠Website⁠ ⁠ Dr. Guillory's Publications: ⁠Emotionally Focused Therapy with African American Couples | Love Heals by Paul T. Guillory⁠   Follow Dr. Guillory : IG: ⁠@eft_with_paulguilloryphd Chapters (00:00:00) - Deconstructing Therapy: Transforming Therapy(00:01:22) - Paul T. Guillory on Emotionally Focused Therapy(00:08:39) - The Attachment Lens in Relationship Therapy(00:15:14) - EFT Training: Multiculturalism(00:19:42) - The Importance of Cultural Identity(00:24:03) - How To Realize Your Blackness(00:28:10) - Race-based stress(00:29:28) - Interview

    31 min

  8. 04/07/2025

    Episode 12: Sacred and Scientific: Reclaiming Intuition, Astrology, and Spiritual Wisdom with Dr. Tralana Eugene, Ph.D.

    In this conversation, Alefyah Taqui and Tralana Eugene explore the integration of spirituality, particularly astrology, into therapeutic practices. Tralana shares her journey from a Southern Baptist upbringing to embracing her intuitive abilities and the role of astrology in her personal and professional life. They discuss the challenges of navigating traditional mental health frameworks while honoring one's spiritual beliefs and the importance of emotional awareness and body connection in therapy. The conversation highlights the significance of self-acceptance and the evolving nature of therapy in understanding mental health. In this conversation, Alefyah Taqui and Tralana Eugene explore the intersections of astrology, therapy, identity, and spirituality. They discuss the importance of understanding oneself through various lenses, including astrology, and the role of identity in therapeutic practices. The conversation delves into cultural appropriation in spiritual practices, the need to integrate science with spirituality, and the significance of healing generational trauma. They emphasize the importance of justice in spirituality and the necessity of sitting with discomfort to foster growth and understanding. Ultimately, they encourage listeners to evolve their beliefs and find supportive communities. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Find Tralana: ⁠Website⁠  Tralana Recommendations: ⁠Rest Is Resistance: A Manifesto⁠⁠ ⁠Family Constellations - Hellinger Institute⁠ Follow Tralana : IG: @Sage_hcw Facebook: @Sage_hcw ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Find Alefyah: Therapy/Consultation: ⁠www.taquitherapy.com⁠ Podcast Episodes: ⁠www.deconstructingtherapy.com⁠ IG: ⁠@taquitherapy⁠ & ⁠@deconstructingtherapy⁠ ------------------------------------------------------------------- Special Thanks: George Alvarez -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapters (00:00:00) - Deconstructing Therapy(00:00:50) - Dr. Trillena Eugene on The Power of Connection(00:05:32) - How the Bible Changed My Spiritual Thoughts(00:10:47) - On Honoring My Astrology in Therapy(00:17:10) - Adhd and Rest: Working Through It(00:21:09) - Let Your Body Lead You(00:23:56) - Janine on Separation From Traditional Astrology(00:28:05) - Ashkenazi therapists on the CEUs(00:33:48) - In the Elevator With Spiritual Healing(00:38:11) - Forgiveness in Spiritualism(00:42:59) - How to Sit With the Pain of Being Hurt(00:47:49) - Sage On Holding On To Things That Are No More

    51 min
See All (20)

About

A podcast redefining the way we approach healing, relationships, and mental health. We challenge the status quo and traditional therapy frameworks that often fall short in today’s rapidly evolving society. Through conversations with therapists, activists, and thought leaders, we explore bold, community-centered approaches to mental health that honor the complexities of our world. Together, we’ll uncover how connection, shared stories, and innovative practices can adapt therapy to the needs of our time. Let’s reimagine what healing looks like in the here and now.

Information

  • Creator
    Alefyah Taqui
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    20
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2024
  • Show Website
    Deconstructing Therapy