EPISODE 5

Decolonising Psychology and Integrating Spirituality: Personal story

Personal Journey and Cultural Intersectionality

Episode 5 of The Practitioner’s Heart

In Episode 5, I share a personal reflection on how Buddhism, psychology, culture, and identity intersect in my life and work. As a first-generation immigrant, woman of colour, and Buddhist practitioner, I’ve often felt outside the dominant narrative of Western psychology.

Growing at the Margins of the Profession

My Buddhist practice began early in life and was deeply shaped by my Asian cultural heritage. Yet in professional spaces, these parts of me were often minimised in order to fit Western models of psychology that rarely acknowledge spiritual or ancestral wisdom.

Decolonising Psychology

Over time, I began to question what is considered “legitimate” knowledge in psychology. Decolonising psychology, for me, means reclaiming ancient wisdom traditions—like Buddhism—that have supported healing for centuries, and integrating them respectfully rather than erasing their cultural roots.

Buddhist Wisdom in Therapeutic Practice

Within the Mahayana tradition, the Bodhisattva path emphasises both personal awakening and compassionate service. For therapists, this offers a way of holding our own wellbeing alongside our commitment to alleviating suffering in others.

Reflective Practice and Authenticity

This episode invites reflection:
What parts of your identity have you hidden in the name of professionalism?
What cultural or spiritual wisdom lives within your lineage and shapes how you understand healing?

Widening the Lens of Healing

These reflections are not about replacing clinical practice, but about widening our understanding of healing to include cultural humility, spirituality, and authenticity. By doing so, we move toward more inclusive and humane ways of practicing.

This reflection is offered for inspiration and education and is not a substitute for therapy or clinical supervision.