S2E2: Rooted in Presence: Authenticity and the Self of the Therapist wit Dr. James “Doc Hawk” Hawkins, LPC

Episode 2 | Season 2

Rooted in Presence: Authenticity and the Self of the Therapist Guest: Dr. James “Doc Hawk” Hawkins

In this powerful conversation, Alefyah and Dr. James “Doc Hawk” Hawkins trace his path from Air Force medic to therapist and trainer—and how culture, race, and identity shaped that journey. James shares candidly about early messages from family (“you’ll have to work harder just to be in the conversation”), navigating predominantly white training spaces, and the nervous-system load of being a Black male therapist in the South. He offers grounded, practical wisdom on bringing one’s full self into the therapy room—without betraying authenticity to be “more palatable.”

They explore how mentors encouraged James to “trust your instincts,” how attachment science can serve equity and healing, and why Self of the Therapist work matters for longevity—especially for therapists who’ve been socialized to code-switch or shrink. James also demonstrates subtle but meaningful clinical choices (like honoring clients by name while using proxy voice) and offers an empowering lens to disentangle cultural trauma from culture itself: honor the protective strategy, then ask what it costs—and whether it’s still needed.

This episode is an invitation to therapists and communities alike: take back the fullness of your humanity, lead with congruence, and let your body become the thermostat—able to read the room and gently set the temperature for connection, truth-telling, and change.

Highlights & takeaways

• From medic to therapist: following the pull to sit with people in hard moments

• Authenticity over performance: refusing to betray self for palatability

• The lobby moment: race, visibility, and nervous-system realities for Black therapists

• Mentors who empower instincts (and why that changes your work)

• Self of the Therapist: being a thermostat, not a thermometer

• Cultural trauma vs. culture: honor the function, examine the cost, choose what to keep

• Congruence as care: why “you being you” is the mos...

Chapters

• (00:00:00) - December 7, 2016: Deconstructing Therapy
• (00:01:16) - Dr. James Hawkins
• (00:04:29) - Black Psychotherapists on The Cultural Switch
• (00:10:24) - Alief on Working With Black People
• (00:14:54) - James Baldwin on Contemplating deconstruction
• (00:19:36) - An Asian Therapist's Powerful Message For Her Clients
• (00:22:09) - How to Be a Therapist
• (00:24:24) - What Is The Self of The Therapist?
• (00:28:22) - The cultural trauma of EFT
• (00:30:31) - How to Lead a Live Couple
• (00:35:22) - Leafy on Deconstructing Therapy