<p>🤍 Hey girlies! This episode explains how body-based healing (like polyvagal theory) can be used in therapy that respects culture and identity. Guests Gina Kiem and Dr. Neela Fur talk about feeling safe in different spaces, code switching, and simple practices that help women of color feel more grounded, connected, and supported.</p><p>Resources from Dr. Niloufer Merchant -</p><p>Here are the links to both articles by Elana Curtis and colleagues:</p><p></p><p>2025 article: <a target="_blank" href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12063315/">https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12063315/</a></p><p></p><p>2019 article <a target="_blank" href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12939-019-1082-3">https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12939-019-1082-3</a></p><p>Follow Dr. Niloufer: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nmmerchant.com/">https://www.nmmerchant.com/</a></p><p></p><p>Follow Gina Kiem: <a target="_blank" href="https://ginakiem-goldcounsel.com/">https://ginakiem-goldcounsel.com/</a></p><p></p><p>Follow Helen on All Socials/Website - <a target="_blank" href="https://bio.site/helenbass">https://bio.site/helenbass</a></p><p></p><p>Chapters</p><p>00:00 Introduction to Polyvagal Theory and Cultural Competence</p><p>04:34 Personal Experiences with Polyvagal Theory</p><p>09:51 Cultural Contexts and Personal Backgrounds</p><p>15:15 Navigating Cultural Practices and Co-Regulation</p><p>20:39 The Impact of Code Switching and Allostatic Load</p><p>34:26 Navigating Subtle Cues and Allostatic Load</p><p>37:45 Cultural Specificity in Therapeutic Practices</p><p>43:46 Cultural Safety and Power Dynamics</p><p>50:36 Embodied Practices and Nervous System Awareness</p><p>59:24 The Intersection of Polyvagal Theory and Cultural Context</p> <br/><br/>Get full access to Sincere Practice Letters at <a href="https://sincerepractice.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_4">sincerepractice.substack.com/subscribe</a>