297 - Global Perspectives on Identity, Mental Health, and Psychology with Nora Alwah

Sep 17

“For me right now, the invitation is to continue to believe in myself, to not have fear be the thing to take over.” - Nora Alwah

Many of us know what it feels like to navigate a middle space. Folks who are gender-fluid come to mind. But I’m also thinking of those who balance a privileged identity with their relationship to a traditionally oppressed group. Or anyone whose ethnicity is not commonly associated with the culture in which they grew up.

There are myriad examples of in-between existence, and multiple emotions that go along with it: loneliness, frustration, and powerlessness. But how do we express this complicated identity in terms that others might understand or empathize with? Nora Alwah, founder of n’betweener©, a global platform and space of belonging, helps folks voice their truth and transform the pain of being an in-betweener into revolutionary joy.

Nora has practice in this realm. She’s a proud queer CIS woman of color with European-African roots who has lived and worked in multiple countries. We dig into the nuances of the mental health systems in the US versus those in Western Europe. We also explore the benefits and drawbacks that come along with diversity of values and thought.

I've always thought it must be better to live exclusively among folks who share the same values and goals. But, as Nora explains, homogeneity has its downsides that I hadn’t considered, notably, a rigidity that makes it difficult for alternative ways of thinking to gain traction.

“The most important thing for me is for people I call in-betweeners to know themselves deeply,” says Nora, a coach, therapist, TEDx speaker, writer, and community builder. She finds that task a bit easier to accomplish in English rather than in Danish or French, languages she learned as a child in Denmark. While it isn’t her first language, Nora cites English as the prevailing language of therapy and the one that best communicates the nuances of being an in-betweener.

As our discussion turns toward the pros and cons of the psychotherapy system abroad, Nora reminds me that socialized medicine has nuances that might get lost in translation. “Denmark can’t be compared to the US. 5.5 million people vs 300 million? We're not talking about the same thing.”

The conversation continues in Part 2.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

The Cost of Neglecting Therapists’ Mental Health: Restructuring Our Field to Heal the Healers

Right Use Of Power Institute

Naropa University

GUEST CONTACT & BIO

Website

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Nora Alwah (she/her) - Coach. Therapist. TEDx speaker. Writer. Community-builder. Nora Alwah is the founder of n’betweener®, a global platform and space of belonging for those who don’t fit the mold—often misunderstood, frequently overlooked, and always n’between. Through n’betweener®, she helps outliers feel seen, come home to themselves, and step into their purpose.

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