In this episode of How's That Working For You, our host Dr Zoe chats with Dr Kathomi Gatwiri as we discuss dealing with race in the therapy room. Today we try to answer the important questions:
"What is the difference between feeling at peace vs liberated?" "What nuances work and are promoted in the western non-black context but will not be effective for an African context?”
Don't miss the enlightening dialogue that unveils the therapist's journey and all its complexities.
About Our Host Dr Zoe Krupka
Dr Zoe Krupka is a psychotherapist, Senior Lecturer, and host of the podcast How's That Working For You? at the Cairnmillar Institute. Zoe writes regularly for industry publications and the media and provides commentary with a focus on relational ethics and understanding the therapeutic process. You can find her website at zoekrupka.com.
About Our Guest Dr Kathomi Gatwiri
D Kathomi Gatwiri is a nationally recognised scholar, researcher, and leader whose work bridges academic research and community impact. She is a Professor in the Social Work Discipline at Flinders University and an ARC DECRA Fellow at the College of Education, Psychology and Social Work.
As one of Australia’s leading Afro-diasporic scholars, Kathomi’s research focuses on decolonising methodologies and anti-racist pedagogies. Her interdisciplinary work explores racial trauma, identity, migranthood, and the experiences of minoritised people, particularly those assigned 'categories of difference’ in Australia. She developed the Racial Dignity Theory and the Racial Dignity Framework, as a tool for understanding racism as an assault on human dignity. This framework has been adopted across various organisational settings.
Since completing her PhD, Dr Gatwiri has secured over $1.5 million in competitive research funding. She has published more than 100 traditional and non-traditional research outputs, including the books African Womanhood and Incontinent Bodies and Afrodiasporic Identities in Australia.
She is the Founder and Director of Healing Together, a service offering culturally affirming therapeutic support for people impacted by racial trauma, and Femicide Count Kenya, a platform documenting murdered Kenyan women. She served for four years as President of the Australian Women and Gender Studies Association and is a member of the advisory committee for the Australian Human Rights Commission's Racism@Uni national study
https://www.flinders.edu.au/people/kathomi.gatwiri
The Cairnmillar Institute
For more information about our organisation, the services we offer, and how to donate, visit our website at www.cairnmillar.org.au.
Coming up next
Stay tuned for more inspiring episodes as we explore diverse aspects of well-being, mental health, and the incredible world of therapy. In the next episode, we’ll be speaking to a Cairnmillar Alum about antiracist practice. Thank you for joining us on the "How's That Working For You" podcast.
Take care out there
Disclaimer: This podcast is a space for open conversations, but it's important to remember that what you're hearing are the personal experiences and thoughts of our host and guests. While we're here to share insights, please don't take any of this as medical advice. We're all wonderfully unique, so if you have medical concerns, it's a great idea to chat with your healthcare professional. While our content is informative, your trusted healthcare practitioner is the best source for tailored guidance. This episode was recorded on the 2nd of July, 2025.
49 mins