Beyond Coping: Radical Healing in a World Not Built for Us – An Interview with José Rosario

The Modern Therapist's Survival Guide with Curt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy

Beyond Coping: Radical Healing in a World Not Built for Us – An Interview with José Rosario

Curt and Katie chat with José Rosario about radical healing, disability, cultural trauma, and intersectionality. José shares his story as a scholar, practitioner, and activist, and how his lived experience as a disabled person of color who is also queer informs both his clinical work and research. He discusses how healing must move beyond coping, the importance of community engagement, and how therapists can better support clients with marginalized identities.

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.

Key Takeaways for Therapists

• Radical healing means moving beyond coping to systemic change and community-based healing.

• Disability, race, and queerness intersect in ways that compound stigma and systemic barriers.

• Community is both a source of hope and a vital element of healing.

• Therapists must step outside the therapy room and engage genuinely with the communities they serve.

For full show notes and transcripts, visit: mtsgpodcast.com

Join the Modern Therapist Community Linktree: https://linktr.ee/therapyreimagined

Modern Therapist’s Survival Guide Creative Credits

• Voice Over by DW McCann

• Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano