Therapy & White Supremacy

So you may be thinking to yourself, “Another white therapist. Really?” 

I hear you. And if you’re skeptical about therapy, I get it — you have good reason to be cautious. The field of psychology has perpetrated great harm on many historically marginalized communities, and the majority of mental health providers are still white, operating within a system of white supremacy.

I work with clients of various racial backgrounds, many of whom have lived experiences of oppression that I acknowledge I will never fully understand. I carry a great deal of power and privilege as a white therapist, and I’m committed to doing my own self-education and healing work to dismantle forms of oppression within myself and in my communities — including racism, sexism, homophobia and queerphobia, transphobia and transmisogyny, fatphobia, ableism and classism. I do my best to not burden my clients with the task of teaching me how to do better, and I ask questions to more fully understand each client’s unique experience.

I work to build trusting, radically transparent, collaborative relationships, within a brave space where clients can share how they really feel. If I ever overlook something, I will make every effort to listen and receive feedback graciously, without getting defensive, dismissive, or centering my experience. I will also work to repair any ruptures, and shift my behavior to avoid further harm.

I believe therapy can foster transformation and liberation not only on an individual level, but that it can ripple out to create larger societal change. It’s an honor to bear witness to this transformation.