Storytelling as Medicine: Decolonizing Therapy with José Rosario (282)

Oct 7, 2025

José Rosario, a clinical psychology scholar and advocate, discusses the power of storytelling for healing in marginalized communities. He shares how embracing intersectional identities enhances empathy and resilience. The conversation delves into dismantling ableism in therapy, the need for therapists to support community healing, and the stark realities of hate-motivated violence. José also emphasizes moving from empathy to actionable support, advocating for representation and structural changes in therapy to empower disabled voices.

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ANECDOTE

Disability Is A Family Systems Experience

José notes disability impacts entire family systems and that the person with disability must retain their voice.
He warns against silencing affected individuals under the guise of caretaking or advocacy.

INSIGHT

Representation Must Include Material Support

Representation without resources is insufficient; supporting diverse trainees requires financial aid and living wages.
José urges systems to provide accessible pathways into the profession, not just invitations to join.

ADVICE

Reform Testing To Reduce Ableism

Reconsider psychological testing and intelligence measures for cultural fairness and contextual relevance.
Work to design assessments that affirm identity and reduce discriminatory assumptions.

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Healing is political — and storytelling is the revolution.

José Rosario shares the transformative role of storytelling in healing and liberation. He invites therapists to move beyond traditional coping frameworks and embrace radical healing – an approach that centers cultural wisdom, intersectional identity, and community empowerment. Together, Sue and José discuss how clinicians can respond to hate-based violence, recognize collective trauma, and actively dismantle systems of harm. José also shares his personal journey toward self-acceptance and the playful practices that sustain his work, offering inspiration for those seeking to uplift marginalized voices through creativity and connection.

“What a disservice it is to silence ourselves when we have so much to give to the world.”

– José Rosario

Time Stamps for Storytelling as Medicine: Decolonizing Therapy with José Rosario (282)

05:21 Intersectional identities and personal narratives
11:17 Empathy vs. action in therapy
19:36 Dismantling ableism in therapy
23:08 Understanding hate-motivated violence
31:36 The role of therapists in community healing
36:31 Finding meaning in adversity
38:04 The Phoenix Empowered: A call to action

About our Guest – José Rosario

Born to young Puerto Rican parents, José Rosario developed Cerebral Palsy as a premature baby. His family’s journey towards equity deeply impacted his mental health. Currently nearing his PhD in Clinical Psychology, his research focuses on cultural trauma in intersectional communities. He is an Interdisciplinary Minority Fellow for the American Psychological Association, member of the Congressional Diversity and Equality Advisory Board for Congressman James Langevin, and member of the Rhode Island Attorney General Community Advisory Board. He has been honored with the Chris Martin Humanitarian Award and the Victoria Lederberg Award for Excellence in Psychology.

Resources for Storytelling as Medicine: Decolonizing Therapy with José Rosario (282)

The Phoenix Empowered – Storytelling and education to amplify the experiences of minoritized communities, facilitate an inclusive mental health conversation, and empower systemic change.

Phoenix Unbound – Show hosted by José Rosario

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https://therapistuncensored.com/episodes/decolonizing-mental-health-delivery-with-melody-li-part-2-episode-228/

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