S5E2 What Community Psychology can teach every therapist | Dr Ron Dodzro

S5E2 What Community Psychology can teach every therapist | Dr Ron Dodzro

How much of what brings someone to therapy can really be understood by looking at the individual alone?

In this episode, Dr Natalie Stott is joined by clinical psychologist Dr Ron Dodzro, also known as The Accessible Psychologist on social media, to explore community psychology and what changes when therapists widen the lens beyond the person sitting in front of them.

Drawing on his work in prisons and with young people affected by community violence, Ron discusses what it means to formulate the systems around a person, particularly when those systems may be contributing to their distress. He shares how his work has extended beyond individual therapy to include parents, teachers, prison officers and wider organisations.

Natalie and Ron also explore power and trust in therapy, including a striking example where Ron’s attempt to protect a young man’s confidentiality inadvertently made him feel less safe.

They discuss race and therapist identity, what our ideas about “professionalism” might communicate to different clients, and why sharing a demographic with someone doesn’t necessarily mean they will experience you as the right therapist for them.

An episode about looking beyond the individual and becoming more curious about what sits around the therapy room as well as what happens inside it.

Guest Information:

Dr Ron Dodzro is a clinical psychologist whose work spans trauma, community psychology and community violence. He has worked within the prison system and now works predominantly in community, charity and private settings, including with children and young people affected by community violence.

He is also co-founder of Psychologists the Streets Deserve (PTSD) providing psychological therapy, training and consultancy around trauma, PTSD and community violence.

Ron shares his work online as The Accessible Psychologist

Find Ron: