The Radical Therapist The Radical Therapist #136 - Therapy as Resistance: Culture, Politics, and Spirit w/ Dr. Makungu Akinyela
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Jul 17, 2025 Dr. Makungu Akinyela, a licensed psychotherapist and scholar known for Testimony Therapy, joins to explore the intersection of therapy and resistance. He discusses how spirituality can serve as a form of political engagement and highlights the importance of community in healing. Akinyela emphasizes that mental health is inherently linked to power dynamics, arguing against the notion of neutrality in therapy. He advocates for cultural resistance, encourages listening to ancestral voices, and calls for new therapists to practice critical thinking and community connection.
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Fanon Study In Martinique Sparked The Book
- Makungu recounts studying Frantz Fanon with Dulwich Center colleagues and finishing in Martinique.
- That trip and dialogue catalyzed the essays that became this book.
Disturbing Times Are Political
- Makungu defines our era as 'disturbing times' driven by an overt rise in fascism and white supremacy.
- He urges therapists to rethink practice because these political realities shape mental health.
Spirituality Is Communal
- Makungu locates spirituality in community and connectedness rather than individual retreat.
- He links spiritual health to ethical relationships and collective balance.
