Growing Antisemitism in the Therapy Profession: An interview with Halina Brooke, LPC

Growing Antisemitism in the Therapy Profession: An interview with Halina Brooke, LPC

As part of a double episode release, Curt and Katie interview Halina Brooke, LPC, founder of the Jewish Therapist Collective, about experiences of antisemitism in our profession. We explore the foundations of antisemitism throughout the development and innovation in psychotherapy. We also talk about lived experiences of Jewish therapists of increasing antisemitism since the attacks in Israel on October 7, 2023.

Transcripts for this episode will be available at mtsgpodcast.com!

In this podcast episode, we look at the increase in antisemitism in the therapist community

In a recent article from Jewish Insider, there are stories about increasing antisemitism in the therapy profession, including in online therapist Facebook groups. We decided to reach out to Jewish Therapist Collective founder, Halina Brooke, LPC, to talk us through what has been happening throughout her time as a therapist as well as the escalation of antisemitism in the past year.

Experiences of Antisemitism in the Therapy Profession

·      The Jewish Therapist Collective has received an increase in calls from clients who are seeking Jewish therapists after October 7, 2023 due to cultural incompetence from non-Jewish therapists

·      Jewish therapists have reported being sidelined or fired from their mental health workplaces due to being Jewish

·      Jewish therapy students report being told that their presence is triggering to non-Jewish therapists

·      Jewish therapists and counselor have reported losses of peer groups due to antisemitism, including affinity groups for intersectional identities

Antisemitic Incidents Within Therapist Facebook Groups

·      Posts targeting “Zionist” therapists have been used to identify Jewish therapists

·      There are lists of “Zionist Therapists” that include only Jewish therapists, potentially ones who have not made political statements about Zionism, that “antiracist” groups are suggesting should not receive any referrals due to their status as “Zionists”

·      These lists appear to solely be lists of Jewish therapists, without including Christian Zionists or others with Zionist beliefs

What do therapists need to know about Jewish Culture and Identity?

·      Multicultural education on Jewish identity in graduate school is insufficient

·      There is as much diversity within the Jewish community as there is between the Jewish and other communities

·      Halina discusses the historical context of Jewish identity and how often they are not seen as part of the dominant majority

·      It is important to seek consultation from Jewish colleagues due to the many nuances and differences

·      Even though many of the founders of psychotherapy are Jewish, there is a lack of inclusion of Jewish identity in multicultural courses

What support is available for Jewish Therapists?

·      The Jewish Therapist Collective provides community and training

·      Halina described the steps that she has taken to hide her Jewishness as well as to find support within the community

Learn more about these resources: jewishtherapists.org

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